OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1938, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR. GILBERT C. R. WHITE

The death occurred recently of Mr. Gilbert White, late Warrant' Officer of the 57th Squadron, R.A.F. He had been ill for, some time. Born in Bristol 55 years ago, Mr. White, at the age of 15, was playing in a senior Association football team. Later he played for Kingswood, Bristol. He had a trial for Aston Villa,' but owing to a knee injury was unable to join the club. In the 1913-14 season he played again with Barry A.F.C., runner-up in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Cup. * Mr. White joined the Air Force early in 1914 as a rigger, being the first man in the newly-formed 57th Squadron Royal Air Force. He saw service in France and rose to the rank of warrant officer. He received the Meritorious Service Medal and was also mentioned in dispatches. In 1920 Mr. White came to New Zealand to take up farming and in 1921 he married Miss Winifred Wadeson, only daughter of the Rev. E. G. Wadesom, vicar of Bramham, York-1 shire. In 1922 he took up residence at Waitohu Valley, Otaki Railway. He is survived by his widow and a young son- and daughter, an aged "mother in England, and three brothers. The funeral took place at Otaki. The Rev. G. Watson held a service at All Saints' Church, and afterwards at jthe graveside. Returned soldiers acted as pall-bearers. The Union Jack was laid on the casket and Mr. R. Fielding sounded the "Last Post."^