This image was publised in the Midland Counties Express on 5 February 1916, showing the three sons and two sons-in-law of Mr and Mrs White of 16 Shakespeare Street, Wolverhampton, as follows:
- Private Matthew White (19) (middle left), enlisted 12 months ago with the 1st South Staffords and was now in France
- Private Walter (23) (botton left), enlisted 12 months ago and was now in France, having been in the Reserve for three years.
- Private W. White (21) (bottom right), was called up at the beginning of the war, having got married the day before being called up. He was serving with the 1st South Staffords in France.
- Gunner Joe Harris, son-in-law (top left), enlisted four months ago with the Royal Field Artillery and was in training
- Albert Backhouse (34), son-in-law (top right) had been in France for about a year, having served with the Army for seven years.
These were the children of Walter and Emma White, living at 23 Little Park Street in 1911.
Matthew was born in Wolverhampton in 1897. He begame a Private in the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 9747), and first served in the Balkans from 21 July 1915. He survived the war, and married Gertrude Backhouse in 1919. They had two daughters – Edith M. (1920) and Jean (1930). Matthew died on 21 June 1954, by which date his address was 1 North Street, Wednesfield. The value of his effects was £369 3s. 9d.
Walter was born in Wolverhampton in 1892. He was a press worker for a hollowware works in 1911. He served in the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment from 11 November 1914, and he, too, survived the war. He married Selina Richards in Wolverhampton in 1919. The couple had four children – Walter (192), Emily (1921), Charles (1923) and Frederick (1928). Walter died in Bilston in 1955.
William was born in Wolverhampton in 1895, and was an iron founder in 1911. There are two marriages of men by the name of William White registered in Wolverhampton in September 1914, one to a Louisa Carter and one to a Margaret A. Williams. Presumably he is one of these men. I have not been able to confirm further details.
Joseph William Harris was the husband of their sister, Mary Ann White, whom he married at Wolverhampton Registry Office on 12 May 1902. He was born in Bilston in 1881, the son of John and Maria Harris. By 1911, Joseph and Mary had three sons, Joseph, Leonard and Walter, and were living at 8 Old Mill Street, Wolverhampton. Joseph was a brewer’s drayman. The couple had a further two children, Josephine May (1913) and Eva (1917). On 22 November 1914, Joseph enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery (number 54828), by which date his address was 109 Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton. Joseph served throughout the war, and was demobilised in March 1919. He died in Wolverhampton in 1945.
Albert was the husband of Esther White, and has already been featured on this blog.