William A. White
William Andrew White II | |
---|---|
First World War |
William Andrew White II (June 16, 1874 – September 9, 1936) was a Canadian chaplain and military officer from Nova Scotia who was commissioned as the first black officer in the Canadian Army.[1] He served in World War I as a military chaplain, the only black officer in the Canadian military during the war.
He and his wife had thirteen children, many of whom achieved national distinction. They included classical singer Portia White and politicians Bill White and Jack White. In 1936, White was awarded an honorary doctorate from Acadia University, the first Black Canadian to be given an honorary doctorate.[2]
Early years
White, who like his father went by his middle name, Andrew, was born in 1874 to former
Family
White met and married Izie Dora White (no relation) of
World War I
In 1916, White enlisted in the
Ministry
Following the war, White returned to
Legacy and honours
- He was the first black person to be honoured with a Doctorate of Divinity from Acadia.
- White and Izie Dora's grandchildren include Senator Donald Oliver, politician and activist Sheila White, and folk musician Chris White. The novelist and playwright George Elliott Clarke is a great-grandson.
- Actor and filmmaker Anthony Sherwood, White's great nephew produced a docu-drama entitled, Honour Before Glory, based on White's diaries while he served in France during the Great War.
See also
- Black Canadian
- Canadian Forces
- Military history of Nova Scotia
- Black Nova Scotians
- Cornwallis Street Baptist Church
References and notes
- ^ "George Elliott Clarke First black officer in British Army blazed trail but dreams were thwarted". The Globe and Mail. 1 August 2014
- ^ "William A. White" Archived 2018-06-12 at the Wayback Machine, Our Roots
- ^ a b c d e "Pictorial on Black History, Nova Scotia; William A. White". Our Roots. University of Calgary, Université Laval. 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
- ^ a b Chaplin-Thomas, Charmion (2006-04-14). "July 5, 1916". Fourth Dimension. Canadian Military Engineers Association (CMEA) and The Department of National Defence. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-02-23.
- ^ "William A. White Death Record", Nova Scotia Archives
External links
- Pictorial on black history, Nova Scotia: William A. White Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine