General Brudenell White

Framed photographic portrait of Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White (1876-1940).

Born in St Arnaud, Victoria, White lived as a child in various Queensland towns, including Charters towers, Gympie and Gladstone. Bored by his initial career, that of a bank clerk, he gained a commission in the permanent artillery of Queensland. With Federation, White became an officer in the Australian army and served in the Boer War. He was director of military operations before the First World War. As chief-of-staff for the AIF's 1st Division, White was responsible for the careful planning and execution of the successful evacuation from Anzac in December 1915. He went on to serve in France and Flanders. He was knighted in 1918.