Autograph Formal Letter in the third person to the Lord Mayor (Sir George Stuart, 1835-1912, Field Marshal, Winner of the Victoria Cross, Commander in Chief in India and Defender of Ladysmith)

(Sir William Treloar, 1843-1923, Lord Mayor of London). saying that he "has had the pleasure to receive the kind invitation of the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor to luncheon... but regrets much that he is unable to accept it, as he will not be in London at that time...", 1 side 4to., Royal Hospital, Chelsea, 20th April White was stationed at Peshawar during the Indian Mutiny and then fought at the Battle of Charasiab in October 1879 and at the Battle of Kandahar in September 1880 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For his bravery during these two battles, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He went on to command a brigade during the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1886 and became commander of Quetta District in 1889 in which role he led operations in the Zhob Valley and in Balochistan. He was commander of the forces in Natal at the opening of the Second Boer War and fought at the Battle of Elandslaagte in October 1899. He commanded the garrison at the Siege of Ladysmith: although instructed by General Sir Redvers Buller to surrender the garrison he responded "I hold Ladysmith for the Queen" and held out for another four months before being relieved in February 1900. He was one of the most decorated men in the British Army. He was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 17th June 1905 until his death there on 24th June 1912.