Sergeant White, Elrick Henry enlisted on 14 October 1943 had the service number B117542. He gave his religion as Roman Catholic. Once in the UK he embarked on 16 July 1944 and disembarked in Italy on 29 July and was taken on strength of the 48th Highlanders X-3 list (48th Highlanders available for reinforcement but in transit.) He was transferred to the 48th Highlanders X-4 List (Highlanders available for immediate reinforcement) on 17 August. It is possible that he was receiving some additional training during that period before continuing to the active battalion.
He arrived at the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders on 1 September 1944 and was assigned to Able Company. At that time the battalion was advancing through the Gothic Line on the Adriatic side of Italy between the Metauro and Conca Rivers. He remained with the battalion through the Gothic Line, the Rimini Line and the advance north of Rimini in October 1944. On 10 December the battalion successfully crossed the Lamone River, after failed attempts by battalions in two other brigades. On 11 December he was wounded as the battalion expanded its bridgehead from the river.
He is not in our records after that, suggesting that after hospital he was assigned to another unit or transferred out of battle permanently.
NOK: (wife) – Mary Ellen White, 23 Greenway Ave., Hamilton, Ontario.