Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Brigadier J. D. White, Deputy Director-General of Railways, Harbours, and Sea Transport, Union of South Africa, late Royal Highlanders and Durban Reserves

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (9105 Pte. J. D. White. Rl. Highrs.) re-engraved naming; Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Sgt. John Dunbar White. Durban Reserve.) re-engraved naming; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieutenant J. D. White.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Africa Service Medal (ACF J. D. White) the first seven mounted as worn, the last loose, good very fine (8) £240-£280

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1944.

The Recommendation (originally for a C.B.E.) states: ‘As Deputy Director General Railways, Harbours, and Sea Transport, this officer has rendered to the Union’s war effort services of a very high degree of merit. He has never spared himself and no matter how severe on the railway services any rail movements were, he has ensured that all operational and other demands have been met.’

John Dunbar White was born in Durban, Natal, on 29 March 1883, and enlisted as a Private in the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), in November 1899. He transferred to the 2nd Battalion in October 1901, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War the following year. After a period as a Seaman in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, June 1903 to February 1904, he returned to South Africa, and joined the Durban Reserves in April 1906, serving with them during the Natal Rebellion. Commissioned Lieutenant in the 8th (Transportation) Battalion, Railways and Harbours Brigade, South African Forces, he served with them at home during the Great War, and then held various Railway Staff Officer appointments in the inter-War years, before transferring to the Reserve of Officers on 1 July 1937.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, White was recalled to the Active List, and served as Deputy Director-General of Railways, Harbours, and Sea Transport, services for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

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