WHITE, Maj John Samuel Byard MBE 1936-2026

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph of 20 Feb 2026: WHITE John Samuel Byard MBE, JP, DL, died peacefully at home on 6th February, aged 89. Beloved father and grandfather, friend to many and a Somerset gentleman. Private family cremation service; thanksgiving service on Tuesday 28th April, 2pm, Taunton Minster, St Mary Magdalene, Church Square, Taunton... No flowers please. Donations to St Margaret’s Hospice, Combat Stress and Arc Inspire. Inquiries to Grandfield & Son…

He was s of Col Harold Samuel WHITE 1895-1984 and Beatrice Enid Byard 1895-1973 d of Herbert Byard SHEPPARD 1866-1928 scion of that gentry family f/o Fromefield and by his 28 March 1894 to (Beatrice) Maud HILL 1868-1947. He m 1961 Mary Bridget b 1937 d of Capt George Louis Downall GIBBS 1882-1956 (gt gs of Antony GIBBS 1756-1815 who was gf of 1 Baron ALDENHAM 1819-1907, as well gt gf of 1 Baron WRAXALL 1873-1931) and Susan Fayth 1900-42 d of Maj Francis Robert HARDING-NEWMAN 1870-1943 sometime head of that gentry family f/o Nelmes Place and land agent to the viscounts Cowdray, and Florence Susan WILLES 1869-1971 scion of that gentry family f/o Newbold Comyn, and had two daus.

1. Jennifer Sarah b 1963 reg Q2 Trowbridge:

2. Katharine Angela b 1965 reg Q4 Taunton:

[colinp]

Obit in the Daily Telegraph 6 April 2026 -  John White, businessman and noted Somerset figure who assisted David Lean in Lawrence of Arabia – obituary

EXTRACTS: 

John White, businessman and noted Somerset figure who assisted David Lean in making Lawrence of Arabia

He rose to the rank of captain in the Somerset Light Infantry and served in West Germany and Libya

John White, who has died aged 89, was a soldier, businessman, charity fundraiser, sportsman, consultant on the filming of Lawrence of Arabia – in which he also had a small part – and servant of good causes whose leadership roles made him one of the most distinguished figures in Somerset life over the past 60 years.

With the exception of Army postings, Somerset was White’s lifelong home, and he was a staunch defender of its unique, sometimes underestimated character. He embodied a “local” ideal – seeking to change things for the better in the community to which he belonged.

But there was no entry on his copious CV that he looked back on with greater pleasure than when he was one of David Lean’s right-hand men during the filming of Lawrence of Arabia […..]

John Samuel Byard White was born in Taunton on March 5 1936, the youngest of five children, and the only son, of Harold and Beatrice, née Sheppard, White, both of whose families had Somerset roots. Harold had won an MC in Egypt in the First World War.

For 26 years he was a director of Taunton Racecourse. He was also deputy county commissioner for St John Ambulance and a council member of the Royal Bath and West Show. He was appointed Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, and chaired the Somerset Territorial Army Reserve Association (now the Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association). He was appointed MBE for his services to Somerset charities.

White served as High Sheriff of Somerset, a year-long appointment in 1985 during which his duties included helping to host Queen Elizabeth when she visited the Royal Bath and West Show. He spent 24 years as a Justice of the Peace, was a Deputy Lieutenant of the County, and held the title, one of many, of Lord of the Manor of Taunton and Taunton Deane.

In retirement White channelled his energy, organisational flair and people skills into chairing the St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice New Build Appeal, which succeeded in its aim of raising £1.5m in the space of a year.

The range of causes and activities White was involved in brought out his gifts as a host. The home he shared with Mary and their three daughters in the Quantock Hills became the backdrop to gatherings notable for the democratic nature of the guest lists.

White married Mary Gibbs in 1961. She died in 2014, and he is survived by their three daughters.

John White, born 5 March 1936, died 6 February 2026

[colinp]

The third daughter may be Caroline Emma White b regd Q3 1969 Taunton (as was Katharine's birth)

[S R Eglesfield]

  It would seem that Colin has correctly identified the third daughter. The three daughters, with their husbands and children, can be found on the Gibbs Family Tree website at https://gibbsfamilytree.com/tng/getperson.php?personID=I2784&tree=gft1. As stated there, they are: 

1. Jennifer Sara (born 1963). Married to Nicholas Berwyn LEWIS (engagement announced in The Times of 6 March 1996) with issue, Peter Joseph LEWIS (the birth of someone of this name, mother's maiden surname White, was registered in Reading in Q3 1999) and Anna Mary LEWIS (the birth of someone of this name, mother's maiden surname White, was registered in Cambridge in Q3 2002).
2. Katharine Angela (born 1965). Married to Dr John HAMBLY with issue, James Edward Byard HAMBLY (birth registered Q1 2009 - Plymouth; mother's maiden surname White).
3. Caroline Emma (born 1969). Married to William John MORRISON with issue, Thomas William John MORRISON (the birth of someone of this name, mother's maiden surname White, was registered in Hammersmith in Q4 1999) and Samuel James MORRISON (the birth of someone of this name, mother's maiden surname White, was registered in Exeter in Q4 2002).

It seems fairly clear that Nicholas Berwyn Lewis is the Nicholas B Lewis (birth registered Q3 1961 - Portsmouth, mother's maiden surname Tory), who is the younger son of Lt-Cdr Berwyn L LEWIS and his wife (married 1956), Jennifer TORY (born 1936), who was herself the daughter of Philip Braybrooke TORY (26 IX 1907 - 2 VII 1983) and his wife (married 1934), Muriel Nancy LOVELACE (29 VII 1905 - 25 IV 1971).