Archie White VC, Horsefair, Boroughbridge, N Yorks, UK - Blue Plaques on Waymarking.com

The plaque reads

“Archie White VC 1890 -1971

Here stood the tailor’s shop owned by the family of Capt Archie Cecil Thomas White VC, MC of Boroughbridge and of the 6th Batt The Yorkshire Regiment who in 1916 won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery on the Western Front.”

Archibald Cecil Thomas White was born on 5th October 1891 to Thomas and Jean White, Outfitters. He was educated at Harrogate Grammar School and Kings College London, graduating in 1912. Following university he taught at Westminster School.

In 14th October 1914 he was commissioned into the Green Howards and made a temporary Lieutenant with the 6th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment on 10th December. On the 1st July 1915 he was appointed temporary Captain when the battalion was posted to Galipoli. In July 1916 the battalion was posted to France. From 21 September to 1 October at Stuff Redoubt in France he was in command of the troops defending the south and west faces of the redoubt. He managed to hold the position for four days and nights under heavy fire. Greatly outnumbered and short of supplies he personally led a counter offensive to clear the enemy from the south and west faces. He was wounded and mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the VC in 26th October for his actions.

He became a staff officer in France, gaining the rank of Brigade Major. He was awarde the MC on 3rd June 1918. He went on to be an instructor at RMA Sandhurst between 1921 and 1925 and senior instructor between 1929 and 1933. At the outbreak of WWII he joined the Cypher Office as Lieutenant Colonel. He was Chief Education Officer for 21st Army Group between 1943 and 1945 and retired from the army in 1947.

Following his army career he became Principal of the City Literary Institute, a member of the Senate of the London University, and Fellow of Kings College, London. He was appointed Deputy Commandant of the RAEC between 1960 and 1969. He died on 20th May 1971.

In addition to the blue plaque there is a memorial stone in front of the nearby war memorial.

Blue Plaque managing agency: Unknown Individual Recognized: Archie White VC Physical Address: Horsefair Boroughbridge, N Yorks UK Web Address: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/14/2021 dtrebilc visited it