The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (QX34589) Lieutenant Eric Keith White, 2/9th Battalion, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Dennis Stockman, the story for this day was on (QX34589) Lieutenant Eric Keith White, 2/9th Battalion, Second World War.

QX34589 Lieutenant Eric Keith White, 2/9th Battalion
KIA 26 January 1944
No photograph in collection.

Story delivered 28 September 2014

Today we remember Lieutenant Eric Keith White, who was killed in action in New Guinea in 1944.

Known as “Keith”, White was born in Pittsworth, in the Darling Downs region of southern Queensland, on 9 March 1914. He was one of four children of Ernest and Ellen White. The Whites were originally from Allora and, after living in Pittsworth and Warwick, they returned there after Ernest died. Ellen White later remarried.

Keith White attended Allora State School and subsequently worked as a storekeeper in the Barnes and Co. grocery store. He was also an accomplished marksman, winning many competitions with the Allora Rifle Club. By 1939 he was managing a grocery store in Tweed Heads, where he married Mavis Eliza on 12 August. Soon afterwards the couple moved to Gympie, where White opened a store with his brother. The newlyweds soon welcomed a baby boy, also named Keith.

Keith White joined the local militia unit, the 5th Light Horse Regiment, in July 1940. He was commissioned as a lieutenant the following April, while the regiment was redesignated the 5th Motor Regiment. In July 1942 White transferred to the Australian Imperial Force. A military instructor described Lieutenant White as a “sound impressive type” with “good bearing and command”. The instructor considered that White would make a “capable leader”.

In late July 1943 White was one of 30 men sent to reinforce the 7th Division’s 2/9th Battalion, then training at Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands following its Papuan campaign of 1942. White initially commanded 17 Platoon, and in early August the 2/9th, along with other units of the 7th Division, returned to Port Moresby.

During a battalion sports day in early October White’s D Company won the inter-company shooting competition, while White himself was named “best shot” in the battalion shoot-off, winning £3. Soon afterwards, White moved to C Company to command 14 Platoon.

From September, units from the 7th Division became heavily committed in the Allies’ offensive in New Guinea, capturing Lae and moving into the Markham and Ramu valleys. On New Year’s Day 1944 the 2/9th Battalion began moving by air to Dumpu. The battalion took up positions in the narrow razorback ridges of the Finisterre Mountains, where it took part in operations to capture “Shaggy Ridge”.

By 26 January the 2/9th was pushing along a feature named “Crater Hill”. Machine-gun fire from a strong Japanese position stopped the lead company as it advanced. White’s platoon tried to outflank the position, but this move was halted by Japanese fire and White was killed. He was 29 years old. Crater Hill would not be occupied by the Allies until 1 February.

Keith White was buried in Lae War Cemetery. Four years after his death, his widow and son placed an in memoriam notice in the paper that read in part:

In proud and loving memory of my beloved Husband & Daddy … Always remembered. Mavis and Keith.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with some 40,000 Australians killed in the Second World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

We now remember Lieutenant Eric Keith White, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.