Auction of Peter White's Effects

 

I have just found a couple of pages I clipped out of The Scotsman in May 2007. It details the story of Peter White, his diary and artwork, on the occasion of its auction.

Here is a link to Christie's Auction with very interesting detail. Here is a passage from Christie's biography:

White survived the war, posted to Egypt until 1946 and then graduating from the Royal Academy in 1951, setting up as a professional portrait and landscape painter in East Anglia from 1966. His own preface to his diaries show his intention to honour his fellow soldiers:

 'No words, however set together, can convey even a minute concept of the searing mental and physical impact of the shambles of infantry action unless one has personally experienced it. Nevertheless, I have attempted to do this in its personal impact, day succeeding day, however inadequately; and also to sketch in the ordinary detail of our lives, hopes and fears, between our periods of passing through the furnace. If no words can convey the "action", it would be an even harder task to express my appreciation, admiration and high regard for the wonderful qualities of humour, compassion and "guts" displayed by those with whom I had the privilege to serve'.

The story associated with the auction was published in The Scotsman on 6 May 2007. His effects realised £30,000.