Walter White was born in Sheffield, the son of Robert (an etcher and gilder on cutlery goods) and Mary and was baptised on 8th July 1879 at St Georges Church in the Portobello area.  The 1881 census listed the family at 62 Clarence Street with Robert employed as an 'etcher on cutlery'.  The family remained in Clarence Street, later moving to No 65; Robert's occupation was described as a cutlery etcher and gilder (1891).  Walter's mother died during 1896 and he had started working as an 'engraver on silver', marrying  Alice Jackson in 1910 at St Silas, Gilcar.

By the 1911 census Walter, Alice and his father Robert were living at No 22 Clarence Street where Walter's occupation remained a silver engraver.  Robert, aged 72, also at this address, continued to work as an etcher on steel. Seven years later Robert died on 8 November 1918 with probate granted to Walter White, ‘a coppersmith’, leaving effects of £509.

1925 is the earliest Directory listing of Walter's home address of 11 Everton Road, where he was described as a cutlery manufacturer, appearing at this address between 1925 and 1957. Interestingly, he is always listed as Walter White and not W White & Son, although we understand that the '& Son' was probably his eldest son Robert W, born 1912 and killed in the war.
The 1939 Register, (compiled before the onset of WWII), recorded Walter's 'personal occupation' as a manufacturing cutler, living at Everton Rd. This was a residential road, which may suggest White factored his cutlery despite his occupation being a 'manufacturing' cutler.

Walter died in Wharncliffe Hospital aged 84 and was buried in the family grave at City Road Cemetery in February 1962. Alice died two years later, aged 74, and is also buried at City Road.  No probate was found for either Walter or Alice.  We do not believe that Walter's surviving son (Gordon) was involved in the business following his death.

With thanks to John Corner, descendant of Walter White for additional information & photographs.