No.34714, Acting Sergeant, Walter William WEBB
Aged 32
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Walter William Webb was born in Wickhambrook,(Risbridge Q2-1886 4A:639 ), baptised in All Saints, Wickhambrook on 19th September 1886, son of James and Mary Ann WEBB (née HONEYBALL).
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at The Duddery, Wickhambrook with his father James WEBB [41] farm labourer; his mother Mary Ann [38] born Denston; sisters Emma [18], Ellen [16] and Eliza [14] ( all three tailoress ); brothers Harry [10], Charles [9] and Elijah [2]. All except hios mother born in Wickhambrook. His father died in and his mother then married George HINDS 1901 census...Aged 15, a thatcher's assistant, he was at The Duddery with his stepfather George HINDS [46] a farm thrashing machine feeder, born Wickhambrook; his mother ( a mens collar finisher), brother Elijah and sister Alice [8] born Wickhambrook. 1911 census...Aged 25, he has not been found but this would no doubt be due to his enlistment in the Army in 1902. It is likely that he served in the Isle of Wight, since he is commemorated on memorials there and his wife originated there. Reg. Q2 1914 in Barnet, he married Maud L. REYNARD [15-10-1891], a native of the Isle of Wight.. Their daughter Eva Doreen was born on 4-9-1914 in Barnet. Maud married Charles George ELDRIDGE of 13 Ash Road, Newport, Isle of Wight in 1920 |
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He enlisted in Middlesex. Sole legatee, his widow Maude.
He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds on 2nd December 1902, for six years in the Suffolk Regiment No. 5249, giving his age as 17 years 9 months, born and resident in Wickhambrook, employed as a brick layer by Mr. Middleditch of Denston. He was 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm) tall, weighed 109 lbs (49.4 kg) and chest 31.5 to 33.5 inches (80 to 85.1 cm). Brown eyes, light brown hair, Church of England. Next of kin, his step father George HINDS, The Duddery, Wickhambrook. Joined the 3rd Battalion on 21st January 1903. Then his Army service records cease. His "Soldier's Personal Effects" record has him a Corporal, the medal index card has him as Acting Sergeant and also discharged on 26th January 1916. This may well have been the date of his transfer to the Cambridgeshire Regiment. The fact that he was in France on 15th August 1914 indicates he was then in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, but no-one thought to apply for the clasp to his 1914 Star. It is a almost certain he was qualified to be an Old Contemptible had that clasp been claimed The war diary for 25th August:- Morlancourt - 24th 2am - Relieved by 6th RW Kents moved back to positions on sunken road on E24 (Morlancourt-Meaulte road) Meaulte 25th 2:30 am - Moved to a position about 500 yards SE of Meaulte in support of 36 and 37th Brigades. 11 am - Information received that enemy was withdrawing his line and that 36 and 37th Bdes were following him up. Battalion moved to sunken road in K.15.d with C Coy as advanced guard. 3:25 pm - Battn passed through troops in front with orders to secure top of ridge in A.8.a and c. Artillery formations were adopted C Coy again forming an advanced guard. A heavy barrage was put down by the enemy and considerable fire was encountered from MGs on the forward slope and summit of the ridge. Platoon tactical work was very good on this occasion L Gs (Lewis Guns) being pushed forward to give covering fire for the remainder to advance. The ridge was cleaned up to within 100 yards of the summit but further progress was rendered impossible by posts of hostile MGs on the crest. A position was therefore consolidated about 100 yards short of the crest. CWGC figures show only one man killed in the battalion that day. The ridge mentioned would appear to be that overlooking the present Albert Airport, somewhere near Grove Town cemetery. The Bury Free Press of 19th October 1918 reported :- WICKHAMBROOK MAN FALLS IN FRANCE We sincerely regret to record the news of the death of Cpl. Walter Webb, Cambs Regiment,who fell on August 25th whilst on service in France. The deceased soldier was the third son of the late Mr. James Webb and of Mrs George Hind, of the Duddery, Wickhambrook; he had been in the service for over sixteen years and was amongst the first to be sent to France at the outbreak of the war. A trustworthy and efficient soldier, he held the esteem of his officers and the staunch friendship of his comrade, and his loss is keenly felt, a soldier of his standing and knowledge being hard to replace. Corpl Webb was well known and respected in the village and heartfelt sympathy is extended to the bereaved widow and little daughter. Walter was originally buried in Talus Road cemetery near Carnoy, but in 1920 this cemetery was closed and the 'inhabitants' were transferred to Peronne Road, Maricourt. At the time of his death Grove Town cemetery had already been virtually closed.
photo: Rodney Gibson and commemorated on the war memorial of St Paul's Church, Newport, Isle of Wight. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
