P.S. If he was the one b.1883 Douglas [from Brian's index] that army record looks like his. There are 17 pages for him available free in the digital records. Saying he embarked from Adelaide [SA], followed by his army postings and discharge, then his enlistment details which say that he was born in Douglas IOM, was aged 29 10/12 in 1915, hardware assistant, next of kin his brother Patrick White [with IOM address], his full description - colouring, height, weight, etc., and his address for his pension given as 225 Flinders St., Adelaide.

There was also a WHITE EDWARD JOSEPH LAWRENCE : Service Number - Q205198 : Date of birth - 30 Apr 1908 : Place of birth - DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN : Place of enlistment - BUDERIM QLD : Next of Kin - WHITE SYLVIA, in WW2 records.

This unassisted [free settler] arrival in Vic. could possibly be William Edward's:
WHITE W E MR [aged] 29, JAN 1912, [ship] OMRAH, B 839 002.

Sue