Charles Bradlaugh White (1893-1915)
From New Seaham, served in Royal Naval Division
Charles Bradlaugh White was born on 8 January 1893 in New Seaham. His father was John Giodano Bruno White (1856-1933), an Irish born coal miner. His mother was Jane White nee Skeen (1856-1932), a coal miner’s daughter from South Shields. His parents married on 10 July 1876 in Chester le Street. They had seven children during their marriage – four daughters and three sons.
In 1891, before Charles was born, his family lived in 11 Kyo Lane, Oxhill, Stanley. At the time of the 1901 census the White family had moved to 3 Joicey Terrace, Oxhill, Stanley. Ten years later in 1911 they were living in 37 School Terrace, South Moor, Stanley. Charles was then working as a driver in a coal mine.
Charles enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 27 November 1914. He served as an able seaman with the service number TZ/2042. He was drafted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) for operations in the Dardanelles. He joined the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division (RND) on 10 February 1915. On 13 July 1915, during the British offensive at Helles, it was reported that Charles suffered a bullet wound to his leg and was missing – assumed killed – in action. He has no known grave and is honoured on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He is remembered locally in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley and the Memorial Park 1914-18, South Moor, Stanley.
Charles White was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in the First World War.
Civil Parish: South Moor
Birth date: 08-Jan-1893
Death date: 13-Jul-1915
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 11 Kyo Lane, Oxhill, Stanley (1891 census)
3 Joicey Terrace, Oxhill, Stanley (1901 census)
37 School Terrace, South Moor, Stanley (1911 census)
Employment: Coal miner – driver (1911 census)
Family: Parents: John Giodano Bruno White (1856-1933), Jane White nee Skeen (1856-1932)
Siblings: Margaret Jane White (b 1878), Oliver Andrew White (b 1881), John William White (b 1883), Mary E White (b 1887), Hypatia Alice B White (b 1890), Rosina Edna L White (b 1896)
Military service:
TZ/2042 Able Seaman, Royal Naval Division
Nelson Battalion, 10 February 1915
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Helles Memorial, Cannakale, Turkey
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley
Memorial Park 1914-18 South Moor, Stanley
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
