Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White
6th Armoured (1st Hussars) Regiment

When he landed on the beach on D-day between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer no exits had been completed and the beach was under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire and traffic was piling up. He got out of his tank and walked calmly up and down the beach endeavouring to find an exit. His example of complete coolness at that critical time was an inspiration to the officers and men of the regiment. His actions since D-day have continued to be outstanding to the highest degree.

(D.S.O. citation, 19 Apr 1945)

Born on 24 May 1909 in St-Faustin, Quebec, Franklyn Everhart White was the son of General John Burton White, head of the Canadian Forestry Corps. In the last war the elder White had commanded the 242nd Battalion and then served as Director of Timber Operations in the Canadian Forestry Corps. Following his father’s military service, Frank White graduated from RMC and joined the Permanent Force, taking a commission with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse in Winnipeg.

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