White joined the NZEF in 1914 serving with Divisional Headquarters through the Gallipoli campaign and in Egypt. Thereafter he travelled to England, trained as a pilot and received his commission as a 2nd Lt in the RFC in August 1916, serving with Expeditionary Force in France as a Fighter Pilot.

Appointed Staff Sergeant, AQMG Branch, 5 August 1914.
Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915.
Admitted to Base Hospital, Lemnos, 18 May 1915; discharged to duty, 28 May 1915.
Returned from Alexandria to No 2 Post, Gallipoli, 27 August 1915.
Disembarked Alexandria, 28 October 1915.
Promoted Warrant Officer, 1 March 1916.
Taken on strength, NZEF Headquarters, Cairo, 6 March 1916.
Embarked Alexandria for England, 10 May 1916.
On Command, Adjutant Command School, Hornchurch, 23 May 1916.
Discharged for NZEF, 27 August 1916, in consequence of taking up a commission in the Royal Flying Corps.
Killed in action, 23 April 1917.
War service (NZEF): 1 year 17 days (of which 316 days were abroad) AWMM