White, Ralph Moreton (2nd Lieutenant)

Place Europe: France
Accession Number EXDOC008
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement 1 leaf: 17 cm x 12 cm on mount 22 x 21 cm.
Object type Papers
Maker White, Ralph Moreton
Place made France: Picardie, Somme, Albert Bapaume Area, Pozieres Area, Pozieres
Date made 1916
Access Open
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Collection relating to service of Major Ralph Moreton White MC, 9 Battalion, Pozieres, France, 1916. Collection includes a note from White to his Commanding Officer reporting on battle progress; his dangerous position; the lack of machine gun ammunition, and the need for senior officers.

History / Summary

This item may have been on exhibition at either the Sydney or Melbourne exhibitions of the Australian War Memorial.

Note reads " 23.7.1916.
To: O C 9 Battn [Battalion]
From: Lt R M White

Am now only officer here at present am in a precarious position & am being enfiladed.

Have no machine gun ammunition or stretcher bearers.

Am doing best but request presence of more & senior officers. Snipers are pretty bad in old buildings of Pozieres.

Am mixed up with 1st Brigade and 11th Battn [Battalion]
[Signed] R. M. White Lt
Casualties at present very light but expect some at daylight"