John Whyte / White

John was born 24 July 1892 in Longford town. Prior to the war John was working as a stonemason, a trade that he returned to after discharge.  

John enlisted with the Army at Boyle in May 1915, under the surname Whyte. He entered into the war in November 1915, which entitled him to the 1914-15 Star medal; he was also granted the Silver War Badge. He was discharged in December 1917, after receiving a gun shot wound to the left ankle during the Battle of the Somme on the 13 September 1915 at Ginchy. 

Sgt Whyte's younger brother, Pte James White, served with the Army Cyclist Corps, and then the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, but was killed during the Battle of the Somme. 

In writing about Sgt White in the Longford Leader of 2 December 1916, it states:

"Home on Leave: Sergant John White, of the Irish Guards, is at present at home on a short sick leave from the front. He has been in the firing line almost since he joined and was twice wounded, the last time in the hip. Sergeant White gives a lurid description of the horrors of war. He was present at all the recent engagements on the Somme. He is the second eldest son of the late Mr. John White of Ballymahon Street. His younger brother, James, was killed at the front about six months ago."

Longford Leader, 2 Dec 1916; link to Civil Record of birth;