Diary kept by Walter White (1841-1917), Petty Officer, HMS SCOUT, for a voyage to the East Indies, China and involvement in the Indian Mutiny.

Diary entries include 14th August 1860, regarding the Naval Brigade which White was part of and being ordered to destroy 30 war junks under forts; December 1860 was spent in Japan and provides some description of the places he visited.

Administrative / biographical background
Walter White was born in Dorking in 1841 and died in 1917. Entered the Royal Navy as a petty officer joining HMS SCOUT on 14 June 1859. During her commission he served in the Second China War and the suppression of the Indian Mutiny being wounded during the latter conflict. He was promoted to petty officer 1st Class in 1863. When SCOUT was paid off in 1864, White left the Navy and returned to his home town of Dorking. He wrote as manuscript account of his time in the Royal Navy, dying in about 1912. Also see ZBA1626, a lead bullet extracted from the leg of PO Walter White after brief skirmish with "Budmashes" during the march on Lucknow, India 1857. Mounted on card with typed inscription. Also see ZBA1627 a miniature oil painting (framed) depicting the broadside view of 'H.M.S. Scout', by Walter White (1841-1917). The painting is framed and glazed.

Record Details

Item reference: HSR/Z/41/2
Catalogue Section: Manuscript documents acquired singly by the Museum
Level: ITEM
Extent: 1 volume
Date made: 1860 - 1862
Creator: White, Walter
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London