Sir George White VC

WITHOUT doubt, George Stuart White is easily Ballymena's best known figure in military history. At the height of his fame he was known throughout the world as the 'Hero of Ladysmith', although he had won his VC in Afghanistan – a country which continues to test the courage of soldiers of all nations to this very day.

Although he and his family are traditionally associated with Broughshane, Sir George himself was born at Rock Castle, Portstewart. He was then educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man.

After graduating from Sandhurst Royal Military College, White was commissioned into the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot in 1853 and saw service in the Indian Mutiny. He fought in the Second Afghan War in 1879 as second-in-command of the 92nd Regiment of Foot (later The Gordon Highlanders).
He was 44 years old when was awarded the VC. On 6 October 1879 at Charasiah, Afghanistan, Major White led an attack on a strongly fortified hill where the enemy force outnumbered the major's by about eight to one. When his men became exhausted and immediate action seemed necessary, he took a rifle and, running forward alone, shot the enemy leader. This decided the issue and the enemy fled. Again, at the battle of Kandahar Major White led the final charge and personally captured one of the two guns held by the enemy, immediately after which the latter retired.

He became the commanding officer of the 92nd Foot in 1881 and was knighted in 1886 for his military service in Burma.One of the plum jobs in the Empire fell in his lap when he became Commander-in-Chief, India in 1893. During this time he was awarded the Khedives Star, Companion of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Bath and was also appointed Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India, Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George to accompany his appointment as Field Marshal. He was also awarded the Order of Merit.

As one of the nation's most famous warriors, he was assigned a leading role in the war against the Boers in South Africa, and was commander of the garrison at the Siege of Ladysmith 1899–1900 during the Second Boer War –regarded by many as his finest hour.

He became Governor of Gibraltar (1900–1904) and was made Field Marshal in 1903. He died in the Chelsea Hospital , London on 24 June, 1912 and was buried at 1st Broughshane Presbyterian Church graveyard in County Antrim.

A statue of White is currently located at Portland Place in London.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen.