WILLIAM ANTHONY WHITE — FIRST WORLD WAR TRIBUNAL FILE Public transcription, findings and page guide Repository: The National Archives, Kew Catalogue reference: MH 47/90/46 Appeal case: V2895 Local tribunal case: 778 Official catalogue: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14097531 This public text records facts and a fresh, lightly normalised transcription from the 14-page file. The page images are held in the private family archive and are not reproduced here while website-publication permission is being clarified. WHAT THE FILE ESTABLISHES In December 1916 William Anthony White was 29 and lived at 538 London Road, Spring Grove, Isleworth. He had voluntarily attested at Hounslow on 19 May 1916 and had been classified for General Service. He described himself as the sole proprietor and manager of two businesses: 1. 538 London Road, Isleworth; and 2. the Post Office, Thornbury Road, Osterley. His work included sub-postmaster, stationer, bookseller, tobacconist and newsagent. He also described a general outfitting business supplying household and soldiers' requisites. He employed one young woman assistant and several boys or young men, but said that trained adult help was unavailable. William said that the businesses supported his wife and three small children. His widowed mother and three younger siblings also depended almost entirely on him. He said the Osterley Post Office served troops stationed at Osterley Park and remained open an additional hour each night for them. He had worked with the Volunteer movement during its first year and later joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment, attending a hospital at night in his spare time. THE TWO YOUNGER BROTHERS William wrote that two brothers had helped in the businesses before the war and that both joined the forces while considerably under military age. One, aged 19 in December 1916, had served for nearly two years, mostly in France, and had become a commissioned officer. The other, aged 17, was a wireless operator on a North Sea battleship. The 1911 household identifies the brothers as very likely to have been Frederick James White and Maurice Frank White. Maurice is securely matched to Royal Navy official number J41370, ADM 188/729/41370. The naval register gives his birth as 29 November 1899 at Egham, Surrey. In 1920 he travelled to Canada with his widowed mother Sarah and siblings Edith, Edward George and Elsie; the 1921 Canadian census places the family in the Arnprior area of Ontario. A medal card at WO 372/21/117576 records a Frederick James White as private 2091 in the London Regiment, later a second lieutenant and acting captain in the Gurkha Rifles. His age and career fit William's description closely. The London Gazette records a Frederick James White of the London Regiment as a second lieutenant from 28 December 1917, and records a man of the same full name, late captain in the 2/10 Gurkha Rifles, appointed major in 1939. This is a strong identification, but it remains labelled probable until an officer file supplies his birth, address or next of kin. THE APPEAL AND DECISION The Heston and Isleworth Local Tribunal initially granted William temporary exemption until 2 April 1917. The later appeal was brought against him by the military representative, who argued that the businesses and hardship did not justify continued exemption. On 6 February 1917 the Middlesex Appeal Tribunal allowed the military representative's appeal and withdrew William's certificate. Formal notices dated 8 February stated that he was not exempted. CHRONOLOGY 2 December 1916 — local tribunal grants exemption to 2 April 1917. 14 December 1916 — William dates his detailed supporting statement. 19 December 1916 — military representative records his objection. 29 December 1916 — formal notice of appeal. 5 January 1917 — local tribunal records that William established his grounds. 2 February 1917 — appeal listed at the Guildhall, Westminster. 3 February 1917 — William warned to attend the adjourned hearing. 6 February 1917 — appeal allowed; certificate withdrawn. 8 February 1917 — formal decision notices issued; William not exempted. PAGE GUIDE Page 1 — file wrapper: White, William, V2895. Page 2 — administrative notes. Page 3 — letter warning William to attend the adjourned tribunal. Page 4 — military representative's appeal and reasons. Page 5 — reasons and decisions of the local and appeal tribunals. Pages 6–7 — William's exemption application and earlier temporary exemption. Pages 8–9 — William's handwritten personal and business statement. Pages 10–11 — military representative's observations and objection. Page 12 — notice of hearing at the Guildhall, Westminster. Pages 13–14 — formal notices allowing the military appeal and withdrawing the certificate. RELATED OFFICIAL RECORDS William Anthony White RAF file, AIR 79/503/55225: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11647016 Maurice Frank White Royal Navy register, ADM 188/729/41370: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6940304 Frederick James White medal card, WO 372/21/117576: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6254508 London Gazette, 5 November 1918, page 13013: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30992/page/13013/data.pdf London Gazette, 27 June 1919, page 8119: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31422/page/8119/data.pdf London Gazette, 4 August 1939, page 5406: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34651/page/5406/data.pdf Prepared for the Pope & White Family Archive, 6 September 2026.