Edwin Thomas William ‘Eddie’ White was Chelmsford born and raised. He died in hospital at Driffield, Yorkshire in May 1943. His parents lived in Rainsford Road.

Edwin Thomas William WHITE, Aircraftman 2nd Class, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died in a Yorkshire hospital. Aged 18

On 28th May 1943 the Essex Chronicle reported:

"Died on service - the funeral took place on Tuesday of A.C.2. Edwin White, of the R.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. White, of Rainsford Road, who died in hospital in East Yorkshire. Service at St. Peter's, conducted by the Rev. Ashley Turner, preceded interment in the Square of Honour at Writtle Road Cemetery. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. Mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. E. White, father and mother; Mr. and Mrs. Couch, Mr. and Mrs. Wisby, Mr. and Mrs. S. Oliver, brothers-in-law and sisters; Sgt. B. White, R.A.F., Mr. C. White, brothers; Mr. G. King, Mr. W. White, Mr. B. Warner, uncles; Miss R. Warner, cousin; Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Warner, uncle and aunts; Mrs. Moran, Mr. and Mrs. Tunstill, Mrs. Bloomfield, Mrs. J. Ottley, Mrs. Porter, Mr. B. Moore (representing Hoffmann's), Mrs. Claydon. Mr. J. Carter, Mr. L. Appleton, Miss C. Clements. Floral tributes were sent by: His loving Mum and Dad; Basil and Cecil, brothers, Lily, Doris and Edie, sisters; Uncle George; Auntie Trix and Uncle Fred; Brian and Derick, nephews; Daphne. niece; Mr. and Mrs. Warner, uncle and aunt; Mr. Appleton; C.O. and officers and men of his R.A.F. Unit; Cousins Ruby and Basil; Brothers-in-law, Tom, Bill, and Stan; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver; Mr. and Mrs. Moran; Mrs. Bloomfield; Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield; Mr. and Mrs, J. Ottley; Miss C. Clements; Progress Department, Hoffmann Manufacturing Co. - The undertakers were Messrs A. J. Andrews and Son, 20 Duke Street."

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Eddie was born in Chelmsford in 1924, the son of Edwin William White and Pauline Lilian White (nee King). His siblings included Bertha Lillian White (born 1910, Basil H. White (born 1922) and Cecil D. White (born 1926).

During the Second World War  Edwin served as Aircraftman 2nd Class 2207201 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

He died while on active service at a hospital in Driffield, Yorkshire on 16th May 1943. He was aged 18. His funeral service was held on 25th May 1943 with a service conducted at St. Peter's Church, Chelmsford preceding burial at Chelmsford Borough Cemetery (grave 5705). At the time of his death Edwin's parents were living at 222 Rainsford Road, Chelmsford.