Sebastian Morton White
Sebastian Morton White (c1869-1940) of Standfield and White
c1869 Born in Winchester the son of John White, solicitors managing clerk, and his wife Eliza
1911 Living at Edgerton Lodge, Pennsylvania Road, Exeter: Sebastian Morton White (age 42 born Winchester), Motor Engineer - Employer. With his wife Ethel Lena White (age 35 born Exeter) and their four children; Muriel Effie White (age 10 born Exeter); Gwendolin Beatrice White (age 9 born Exeter); Francis Sebastian Moreton White (age 7 born Exeter); and Viola White (age 4 born Exeter). Two servants.[1]
1940 July 5th. Died.
1940 Obituary [2]
Much regret was expressed in Exeter and district on Friday at the news the death of Mr. Sebastian Morton White at his home in Dorset. He died suddenly in an air-raid shelter at his home on Thursday of last week. He went to the shelter after his daughter, Miss Viola White, had left the house to carry out her duties as a V.A.D. nurse. On her return, about half an hour later, she found her father sitting in chair in the shelter apparently asleep. On attempting to rouse him she found he was dead.
Mr. Moreton White, who was born at Winchester, was 71. He was apprenticed as a coach body-maker to the firm in which his father was a partner. In 1895 he acquired the coach-building business of Messrs. Godbeer and Son, Queen-street, and in 1901, having purchased the business of Standfield and Co., Sidwell-street, amalgamated the two concerns under the title of Standfield and White.
He was of an inventive turn of mind and keen on the quest for improvements, ranking as one of the successful pioneers of the motor industry. He was on the Council of British Carriage Manufacturers and was associated with several automobile associations, and was a valuable member of the Council of the Exeter and District Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Moreton White became a member of Exeter City Council about 30 years ago, succeeding the late Mr. W. H. Tarbet. He was Sheriff in 1916, during the third term of the late Sir James Owen's mayoralty, and presented the city with the' Sheriff's State coach used for 100 years by Exeter Sheriffs.
When he retired from the managing directorship of Standfield and White, 1919, he went to reside at Bournemouth, where his wife died. He removed to Dorset about six years ago. Much sympathy extended to the son and three daughters. [Details of funeral attendees]