George Henry White

Last Saturday the Belgian relief-ship `Harpalyce ' was sunk by a German submarine. The ` Harpalyce ' left Rotterdam in ballast for Virginia, and was flying a white flag bear- ing the words "Commission for Belgian Relief" in large letters which were visible about eight miles away. The same inscription was painted along both sides of the vessel. The German submarine torpedoed her without warning. Out of the 'Harpalyce's ' crew of forty-four, seventeen lost their lives. There was no excuse whatever for sinking this vesseL It was a ease of cold-blooded murder.

One crewmember was 
George Henry White is the son of George Henry White and Margaret Ellen Chandler 
Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats
George Henry White
Merchant Navy. British
Born 1919
Died 25 Aug 1940 (21)
Roster information listed for George Henry White
ShipTypeRank / roleAttacked onBoat
Harpalyce Steam merchant Fifth Engineer Officer 25 Aug 1940 (+) U-124
Personal information

Son of G.H. and Margaret White, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.

Harpalyce wreck 

UB 1 Type U-Boat

A typical UB1 type boat, very similar to UB 4 (JD Perkins collection)

Based at Zeebrugge she was the first of her kind to score a victory when she torpedoed the British steamer Harpalyce without warning on the 10th of April, 1915, near the North Hinder lightship midway between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. Harpalyce, engaged in Belgian Relief work, was on her way from Rotterdam to Norfolk, Virginia, in ballast, under a safe conduct pass from the German authorities. She had large white patches on her sides with "Belgian Relief" written on them in big black letters and was flying a large white flag similarly marked. Nevertheless, Gross torpedoed her and the 5,940 ton ship went down so quickly there was no time to get the boats away and 15 of her crew of 44 were lost.

WHITE, GEORGE HENRY

Rank:

Fifth Engineer Officer

Date of Death:

25/08/1940

Age:

21

Regiment/Service:

Merchant Navy

 

S.S. Harpalyce (London)

Panel Reference

Panel 55.

Memorial

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Additional Information:

Son of G. H. and Margarat White, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.