Rupert William White was the son of Harry White and his wife, Emily Nutting, nee Gardner.  The couple had married in Maffra and had had children there, but Rupert was born in East Melbourne.  Later the family moved to Maldon.  Both Harry and Emily were hotel licensees.  Emily died in 1909 at Maldon. By the time of his enlistment on 27 July 1915 Rupert was working making tin canisters.  He was 18 years and 2 months and his father provided a letter granting him permission to enlist.  Harry’s address at this time was still Maldon, but a year later he gave his address as 37 Grey Street, East Melbourne.

Rupert was appointed to the 23rd Battalion, 7th Reinforcements with the rank of private and sent to Broadmeadows for training.  He embarked aboard HMAT Commonwealth on 26 November 1915 bound for Egypt. He was transferred to the 57th Battalion on 15 March 1916, just a month after the battalion was formed. The battalion left for France in June and with virtually no preparation was thrust into the disastrous battle of Fromelles. Rupert was wounded in action on 17 July 1916 and was admitted to 2 Australian General Hospital, Wimereux with shell shock two days later.  He was taken to England for further treatment.  After a period of convalescence and light duties he returned to France on 14 December 1916.  Two months later he was back in England with a draft of permanent base personnel and was sent to No 2 Command Depot in Weymouth.  On 4 May 1917 he left England for return to Australia on account of his continuing shell shock and was discharged on 2 August the same year.

He married Myrtle Maud Hanson and lived with her in St. Kilda.  She died in 1924.