Historical information

White fought at the Battle of Charasiab and at the Battle of Kandahar in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For his actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1879.
White became commander of the forces in Natal in 1899 at the opening of the Second Boer War and fought at the Battle of Elandslaagte. He withdrew to Ladysmith where he took command of the garrison during the Siege of Ladysmith. When his position there became untenable he was instructed by General Sir Redvers Buller to destroy the guns and surrender the garrison on the best terms he could. White insisted on staying and held out for another four months before being relieved in February 1900. For this he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George. Earlier he had been made Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
In 1903 he was promoted to Field Marshall.
White received many awards for his service to his country. They include the Victoria Cross (1879); Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (1893); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (1897); Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (1898); Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (1900); Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (1900); Order of Merit (1905).
He also received the Indian Mutiny Medal; Afghanistan Medal; Kabul to Kandahar Star; Egypt Medal (1885); India General Service Medal (1885-87); Queen's South Africa Medal - Defence of Ladysmith; Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal; King Edward VII Coronation Medal; King George V Coronation Medal; Khedive's Star.
Sir George Stuart White's medal and honours are displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum.



Physical description

Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.