Their attendance passes have been mailed out and they will be four of the 8,000 people attending the Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli this year.

Fay Burke, along with three members of her family, is thrilled to have won a place in the ballot to attend the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove in Turkey on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landing.

The family lodged their applications under the descendants category.

Fay is the granddaughter of George Henry White, a farmer from Bogan Gate who enlisted in June 1915. 

He said he was 43 and married with five children. 

His reasons for enlisting are unknown; however, it is thought he answered the call to fight for King and Country, as well, it gave him additional means to provide for his family. 

Lance Corporal George Henry White arrived at Gallipoli in early October of 1915 and served with the 17th Infantry Battalion.

On October 12, just a couple of weeks later he was wounded and sent to Alexandria to recover. 

George re-joined his battalion to serve in the Somme Offensive at Pozieres. 

He was again wounded on 13 October, 1916 and sent to Etaples General Field Hospital and then to England for further treatment.  

As his injury left George without the full  use of his right hand, he was returned to Australia on HT Ulysses in April 1917 and was medically discharged on May 18, 1917. 

George Henry White is also grandfather to Mary Umbers, George Henry (Jack) White, and Michael White all of Parkes, and Peter White of Sydney.

The family also has a connection to another veteran, Sydney James (Johnny) Walker who was the son in law of George Henry White.

Sydney Walker, an Analysis Chemist, enlisted in the army on December 24, 1914, aged 21. 

He was appointed on commission as an officer in the 1st Australian Imperial Forces on February 12, 1915. 

Johnny landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

He contracted typhoid in October 2015 and sent to London to recover.

He returned to active service on the Somme and Flanders Battlefields. 

Johnny was wounded in the Last Great Battle of Ypres on August 25, 1918.

It was during that battle he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for ‘leadership of men, cheerfulness in the worst conditions, keeping the guns in action at all costs’. 

General Sir Douglas Haig, British Commander-in-Chief, also mentioned him in Dispatches a number of times for ‘conspicuous services rendered’.

Johnny didn’t return to active service after this injury and came home in 1919.

He later served in WWII. 

Sydney James Walker is the father of local residents, Margaret Jackson (Parkes) and Peter Walker of Forbes.

Fay and her family had to make all their own arrangements before they could accept their ballot passes. 

They will tour around Turkey and spend a number of days on the Gallipoli Peninsular before Anzac Day.

 They will attend the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and then walk 3km to the 9am Lone Pine Service.

Fay feels extremely honoured to be able to attend the commemorative services.

 “It’s an amazing opportunity to recognise the incredible sacrifices and hardships endured by members of my own family a hundred years ago. 

“Having grown up hearing of their experiences, I feel very fortunate to be able to visit Gallipoli on this very special Anzac Day,” she said.

A daughter, Jenny said she has always wanted to go to Gallipoli after a friend attended 75th Anniversary Dawn Service.

“She was very emotional and said how wonderful the whole experience was,” Jenny said.

“At the time I thought it would be an amazing thing to be able to attend the 100th anniversary. 

“We are privileged to be able to be there to honour the young men and women of Australia who served and to acknowledge their sacrifice of 100years ago,”

Jake also going to Gallipoli

Local electrician, Jake Elliott is another local resident who will be going to Gallipoli.

Jake, the son of Stuart and Dianne, was also drawn out in the draw.

The Parkes RSL Sub-branch is assisting Jake to make the journey, contributing to his expenses.

Jake is thrilled to be making the journey.

Sydney James

(Johnny) Walker

Rank: Major WW1;

Lieutenant Colonel WW2 

Year Enlisted: 24 December 1914, appointed on commission as an officer in the 1st Australian Imperial Forces 12 February 1915.

Served in 1st F A Brigade AIF 

Age Enlisted: 21 years

Occupation: Analytical Chemist at Customs House

Embarkation Date: 2 February, 1915 upon Troopship Hessen AH5

Served 1915 – 1919 

Landed Gallipoli 25 April 1915 

Served in France on the Somme Battlefield

Served in Belgium (Flanders) Wounded in Last Great Battle of Ypres 25 August 1918

Awarded Distinguished Service Order for “leadership of men, cheerfulness in the worst conditions, keeping the guns in action at all costs,” during Last Great Battle of Ypres.

Mentioned in Dispatches a number of times for “conspicuous services rendered” by General Sir Douglas Haig, British Commander-in-Chief.

Awards/ Medals: 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, ANZAC Commemorative Medal, War Medal, Australian War Medal, Efficiency Declaration.

Related to: Father of Bernadette Jackson, Margaret Jackson, Rosemary Price, Therese, Sydney and Peter Walker.

George Henry 

White

Occupation: Farmer

Rank: Lance Corporal 

Year Enlisted: 13 June 1915 

Served in 17th Battalion 

Embarkation Date: 9 August 1915 upon HMAT Runic A54

Age Enlisted: 43 years

Served 1915 – 1917 in 17th Infantry Battalion

Landed Gallipoli October 1915 (2nd landing) 

 George Henry White was injured 12 October 1915 and then moved to Alexandria for recovery.

Upon recovery, George Henry White served in the Somme Offensive at Pozieres. 

He was wounded on 13 October, 1916 and sent to Etaples General Field Hospital and then to England for further treatment.  

Returned to Australia on HT Ulysses on 12 April 1917 and medically discharged 18 May 1917. 

Related to:  Grandfather of Fay Burke, Mary Umbers, George Henry (Jack), Patrick, Donald, Peter and Michael White.