Known as the "Gentle Giant" and "Smiler" to his friends, Eddie White was a benevolent man of the community who crossed racial boundaries and social barriers which enhanced his popularity.
 | | Eddie's sister June |
He was the first black baby to be born to Jamaican parents in Northampton and always stressed that people of all creeds and colours were his friends. Eddie worked in the shoe industry and the music business; he formed one third of the Count Shelly Sound System with Trevor Hall and Duccu, and was instrumental in setting up the Matta Fancanta Youth Movement. He then set up his own security firm. On May 2nd 2000, Eddie was called by landlord Alan Dearsley to assist with a disturbance caused by Darren Smith at the Pig and Whistle pub. Despite being off duty, Eddie responded and attempted to defuse the situation with Smith which escalated. As a result Eddie died from a single stab wound to his heart. Smith was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter. A town says goodbye Eddie's funeral triggered a massive outpouring of public grief in Northampton. Held at All Saints Church, the funeral was attended by hundreds of people. For those who couldn’t be seated in the church, big-screen televisions relayed events to those outside. Two Belgian black horses pulled the hearse from Far Cotton to the town centre. Hundreds of mourners wearing red carnations walked behind. June spoke of these events and about her life with Eddie during an interview with the Black History Project. To listen, and to view a photo gallery of Eddie’s life and funeral, click on the links in the top right of this page. Photographs courtesy of The Chronicle & Echo and The Black History Project. | 
