RRA's first friend in the Navy

When RRA first went to sea in the Howe he was very lonely to start with, but soon made friends with a boy called White, and they became inseperable. Here is how he describes it:

On my father leaving me after two days stay, the sense of utter loneliness and homesickness became overpowering, but boy-like I soon found some relief from loneliness by chumming with a kindred spirit – one Billy White – or ‘Whiteheaded Bob’ as we afterwards designated him, although his real name was Edward. I took to him at first sight and we became closely allied. Being in the guard-ship and in dock it was easy to get on shore, and as the authorities were not so strict in keeping the Officers on board as when on active service, Billy and I had many a frolic at the theatres and other places.

As was so typical of the Navy, when they both moved on from the Howe and their careers and lives diverged, it is quite likely they never met again as RRA doesn't refer to him later in the book.

Here is a baby-biog of 'Billy' White, taken from my footnote in the book:

White, Edward 'Billy', 1835-1882, born Sussex, 2nd son of Lt-Col Raymond White, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons and Emma, née Williams. Entered RN 1847; Mate 11 Feb 1854; Lieutenant 22 Sept 1855; Commander 11 Apr 1866; Captain 06 Feb 1872. Served in Impérieuse in the 1854 Baltic Fleet (medal) during the Crimean War. Captain of the troopship Himalaya during the 1870s. In 1879-80 employed as a nautical assessor. Died 04 Aug 1882, Port Royal, Jamaica.