Jack White (VC)

He jumped overboard and towed the stricken pontoon to shore.

Jack White was born Jacob Weiss at Leeds on 23 December 1896, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. The family moved to the Manchester and Salford area, where he attended school, joined the Jewish Lads’ Brigade and entered the waterproof clothing trade. Returning from a business trip when war began, he enlisted in the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

He served as a signaller with the 6th Battalion, travelling to Gallipoli in 1915 and later to Mesopotamia. The battalion took part in attempts to relieve Kut and in the renewed advance toward Baghdad. During the crossing of the Diyala River on the night of 7-8 March 1917, its pontoons came under heavy machine-gun fire.

White’s boat reached midstream with every other man killed or wounded. Unable to control it, he secured a telephone wire to the pontoon, jumped into the river and towed it toward the bank. His effort saved the wounded officer aboard and brought ashore weapons and equipment that would otherwise have been lost. George V presented his Victoria Cross in April 1919.

After the war, White returned to business, working in waterproof clothing and later as a travelling salesman in antiques and rugs. He married May Daniels in 1921. He also devoted considerable time to veterans’ welfare, helping establish a Jewish ex-servicemen’s organization and a British Legion branch in Salford. Public appearances and fundraising became an important part of his life.

During the Second World War he attempted to serve in the local defence organization but encountered restrictions connected with his father’s nationality. He instead worked in air-raid precautions and supported efforts to help Jewish refugees find training and employment. He continued attending commemorative events after the war.

White died at his home in Salford on 27 November 1949 and was buried with military honours in Blackley Jewish Cemetery. His civilian service reflected the community ties that had preceded his enlistment.