Sir George Stuart White, born on 6th July 1835,
in Portstewart, was to become one of the most
famous and most
dedicated soldiers in the history of the British Army. After
leaving Sandhurst Royal Military College he joined the 27th
Inniskillings in 1853, before transferring to the 92nd Gordon
Highlanders in 1863. The next forty years saw him serve in the 2nd
Afghan war where he won the years Victoria Cross at the Battles
of Charasia and Kandahar. He also saw service at Kabal, Sharpur,
Takti, Shah, Egypt, Sudan, India to name but a few.
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 Marshall. He was also awarded the Order of Merit.
His greatest hour, however, came during the Boer War when he was in command at the famous defence of Ladysmith, under siege from November 1899 until March 1900.
Sir George Stuart White died on 24th June1912 and was buried at 1st Broughshane Presbyterian Church, just a few yards from Broughshane Orange Hall where the present band practises.
Below is a detailed description of the life of Sir George Stuart White
| YEAR | EVENT |
| 1835 | Born 6th July at Rock Castle, Portstewart |
| 1842 | Broomsgrove School, England |
| 1847 | King William's College, Isle of Man, Nicknamed 'Duck' White |
| 1850 | At age 15 from King William's College to Royal Military College, Sandhurst |
| 1853 | Left Sandhurst and entered Army as Ensign in 27th Inniskillings |
| 1855 | Served in India during Mutiny as Lieutenant in 27th |
| 1863 | 10th July promoted to Captain. Transferred to 92nd Gordon Highlanders |
| 1873 | Promoted to Major |
| 1878 / 1880 | Served in 2nd AfghanWar |
| 1879 | Won Victoria Cross at Battles of Charasia and Kandahar. Promoted Brevet Lieutenant Colonel |
| 1880 | Served at - Occupation of Kabul, Expedition to Maidan, Sharpur, Capture of Takti Shah, March from Kabul to Kandahar. Appointed to Military Secretaryship to the Viceroy of India. |
| 1881 | Promoted Lt. Colonel in command of 92nd Gordon Highlanders. Awarded Companion of the Bath |
| 1884 | Posted to Egypt, Nile Expedition. Awarded Khedives Star |
| 1885 | 2nd March Promoted Colonel. Served in Sudan, India, Madras and Mandalay. Promoted Brigadier and commanded Brigade in Burmah |
| 1886 | Promoted Major General. Awarded Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
| 1889 | Commanded the Zhob Valley Expedition |
| 1892 | Made Doctor of Laws of Trinity College, Dublin |
| 1893 | Commander in Chief, Forces in India 1893 - 1898. Awarded Knight Commander of the Indian Empire |
| 1895 | Promoted Lt. General |
| 1897 | Awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Bath |
| 1898 | Appointed Knight Grand Commander of the Star of India. Quartermaster General to the Forces 1898-9 |
| 1899 | General on Staff to command troops in Natal. Defended Ladysmith against Boer Army 2/11/1899 - 1/3/1900 |
| 1900 | Appointed Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George. Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Governor of Chelsea Hospital 1900 - 1904 |
| 1903 | Appointed Field Marshal |
| 1905 | Awarded Order of Merit |
|
1912 |
Died 24th June. Buried at First Broughshane Presbyterian Church. |