B64238 Rifleman Walter Samuel White was born in Toronto, Ontario, on 29 April 1912, the son of Walter George White and Nellie Rose Snoxell. His Anglican family included two sisters and three brothers.  He left school to support his family at 14 having completed grade 8.

On 14 December 1935, White married Marjorie Lillian Ward in Toronto. They had one daughter, Lynn, and one son, William.

White had previously worked as a plasterer but worked as a lens grinder when he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles (Active Service) on 21 June 1940.  Starting in August, he spent four months with the Regiment in Newfoundland as part of “W” Force and on 24 April 1941 he transferred back to the QOR Depot in Toronto. A week later, he was transferred to the Canadian Army Trades School in Hamilton and qualified as a Driver Mechanic in September.  On 22 April 1942, he was appointed Acting Corporal and on 28 July 1942, he attended a Parachute concentration in Ottawa where he failed to qualify and returned to the Trades School on 6 August where he continued training.  He reverted to Private on 18 June 1943, but on 1 September was appointed Lance Corporal on completion of a coaching course.

On 10 August 1944, White arrived in the United Kingdom and was transferred to the Winnipeg Grenadiers on 1 September. He arrived in Belgium on 17 October, a week later was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles and served with them through Belgium, Germany and Holland.

Rifleman White was killed in action on 16 April 1945 along with four others in carriers  (Cockburn, Jackson, Ouderkirk and Pennell) near Sneek, Holland, aged 32. He is buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference XII. D. 11.