3535141 Frederick Henry 'Chalky' WHITE, DCM, MM, Loyal Regiment attached 1 SAS

Hello to the forum

I am after information and if possible war time pictures of one of the original members of the SAS.

Sgt. Frederick 'Chalky' White DCM MM from Manchester 1st SAS.

I had the privalidge of knowing Chalky in the late 1980s, I only wish i had written down some of the stories and anecdotes he told me then.
I can remember that he was in a scottish commando unit before the SAS, 9 or 10 Commando?
He was present at a meeting in the desert when the design of the SAS wings were discussed.
He was involved in operation Houndsworth when he was shot in both hands.
He also told me that he landed on the roof of a house when parachuting into France and cracked his spine.
After the war he was involved in the kids greek football league in and around Manchester.
He died i think in 1995 and was cremated in Southern Cemetry Manchester and his ashes taken to a resistance cemetary in France.

I have got a couple of books (signed by him) that has some info on him - Rogue Warrior and Parachute Padre

He was kind enough to give me his original blazer badge, sleeping bag and desert sandals, i also copied his SAS certificate which is signed by Paddy Mayne.

Any additional info would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Pete

 

Hi Peter and welcome to the forum.

Was his name Frederick Henry White by any chance?

Cheers
Andy

 

Hi Andy

I always new him as just Chalky, all the info i have is in my loft at the moment so without going to check i dont know. I am pretty sure there may have been 2 Chalky Whites though in the 1st SAS.
I will dig out my stuff tomorrow and see if i have got his middle name.

Thanks

Pete

 

Awarded Periodic Military Medal.

Cpl. White first did a combined operation behind the enemy lines in June 1941, in Syria where he was severely wounded. Since joining the 1st SAS Regiment he has been extremely valuable and every officer whom he has been on operations has spoken very highly of his courage, coolness and ability.

He has completed several successful operations with this unit. Amongst others, on 13th September, 1942, he was one of a party which captured the strongly fortified fort Gasr Geresc destroying wireless instalations and liquidating the garrision.

On 12th October, 1942, operating from the great Egyptian Sand Sea he was in a party with a strength of four which mined the Tobruk railway and attacked a German strongpoint, inflicting casualties.

On 18th December, 1942, he was with a party which attacked and blew up four trucks on the Gaddatia Bungem Road.

On 20th December, 1942, his party straffed the coast road west of Beurat, destroying two trucks.

On 21st December, 1942, his party mined the main coast road west of Buerat.


LG 14.10.43

Recommended by Lt. Col. H J Cator, CO 1st SAS

 

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

L/Sjt White was in charge of a subsection during a German counter attack in the Termoli area on the morning of 6 Oct 43 when he came under heavy shelling and mortar fire. The intensity of fire increased to such an extent that his section was forced to give ground, but fearing infiltration by German infantry, he himself went back to hold his original position where he kept an LMG in action for two hours despite the weight of the enemies fire.

He refused to fall back on the main line till the threat to that section eased. Later, when his officer was killed and several of his men wounded, he took over command of a section and led it with daring and initiative.

Throughout, he showed high powers of leadership and great courage and his example pulled the section through a very difficult time.


LG 14.10.43

 

Andy

Fantastic, Many Thanks

Pete

 

Both citations added, assuming that it your man

 

Andy

Had to go and check, yes this is him 3535141 F white.
On the SAS certificate it states hes served with the 1st SAS from 9/6/42 till 16/11 45 in western desert, Italy and N W Europe.
I also have a copy of his Record of Service Army Form W5238 which has him serving in the Manchesters 31/5/40-15/6/40 , Loyal Regiment 16/6/40-31/3/44 and AAC 1/4/44-26/3/46

Many Thanks Again

Pete.

 

Hello again

I have just had a word with a friend of mine who also knew Chalky and he reckons he went from the loyal regiment to No 10 Scottish Commando which is where he met Paddy Mayne.
Does anyone out there have any info on No 10 Commando or Chalkys time there.

Thanks Again

Pete

 

Hello again

I have just had a word with a friend of mine who also knew Chalky and he reckons he went from the loyal regiment to No 10 Scottish Commando which is where he met Paddy Mayne.
Does anyone out there have any info on No 10 Commando or Chalkys time there.

Thanks Again

Pete
Peter its 11 Scottish Commando see here 11 (SCOTTISH) COMMANDO - BLACK HACKLE

 

Hi Peter,

As well as the suggestions in the PM I sent you the only way you will really accurately (ish) confirm his military career is by applying for his service records. Sadly their is a cost of £30 involved and if he passed away recently you will need approval from a next of kin.

Regards
Andy

 

Andy
Sadly i never new any of his family so thats a non starter.

Many thanks again for the info.

Regards

Pete

 

Hi
I have a picture of the original 1st sas 1941 i will be posting on line. If you can help me i would be grateful as my father is in this picture Alan Watson and i know nothing about his time in the war

 

G3DCV, read This:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/network-information/12816-how-insert-pictures-videos-into-your-posts.html

 

Hi G3DCV

Have you posted your picture yet

regards

Pete

 

hi peter
yes but it is too small to see clearly i am having it resized asap.
Regards
Linda

 

Peter

Are you still looking for a photo of Chalky White DCM MM. If so I have one let me know if you need me to post it.

Cheers

Arnhem

 

Yes please

 

I can supply a photograph of Chalky White's involvement with Operation Houndsworth in Burgundy.It is an actual photograph of him.,not into much detail but showing him involved in activities behind the German lines after he was wounded in the arm.

His activities are reflected in an account of the No 1 SAS activities in Burgundy and how he survived an engagement with a large German troop formation which resulted in him sustaining wounds to his left hand,(I think it was).Two SAS members were killed in this engagement and lie in a local cemetery.

What was said of him in the initial post is confirmed by Ian Wellsted's excellent account "SAS with the Maquis" where the No 1 SAS operated with the Maquis in the Morvan region of Burgundy from June to September 1944.

 

Hi Andy

AS promised a photo of Chalky White DCM MM. Hope its what you are looking for.

Cheers

Arnhem