John Joseph Henry White

John Joseph Henry White was not originally from Brentwood, it was only in his later years that he moved to Brentwood and lived the last 25 years of his life here.

He had a long army career (29 years), originally joining the Essex Regiment at Woodford as a drummer boy aged only 14. He went to South Africa during the Boer War, and army life also took him to India, Malta, Burma, Egypt, and later France and Germany.

He went over with the army to France in 1914 again as a drummer, but may have also served as a stretcher bearer. He was gassed during the Somme, which permanently damaged his lungs. He left the army in 1922 since his lung damage meant he was no longer fit to serve. He lived at 206 Ongar Road, Brentwood. After the army he worked as a coal porter, and during the second world war became a Special Constable (working for the police since many of the regular police were called up for military service), and then joined the Home Guard.

John died at the age of 67 in 1950 from complications of being gassed at the Somme 34 years earlier. He was survived by his wife, Elsie, and four children.