No.23749, Sergeant, William George WEBB
Aged 24
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William George Webb was born in Cheveley (Newmarket Q2-1894 3B:503), son of Frederick Samuel and Eliza WEBB (née PETCH).
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Chapel Yard, Main Street, Broad Green, Cheveley with his mother Eliza Petch WEBB [34] born Lackford, Suffolk and his sister Elsie N. [5] and brother Frederick P [6 months) both born in Cheveley, and his grandfather William WEBB [67] farm labourer, born Gazeley. His father has not been found 1911 census...Aged 17 , a boots, he was at the Temperance Hotel, Market Street, Newmarket working for Herbert SHEPHERD (died of his wounds in 1917). His parents were at Church Lane, Cheveley with his brother Frederick and sister Ada [8] born Cheveley. Father was a carter, born Gazeley in 1866. Their address for CWGC and pension card was 43 Church Terrace, Cheveley |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. On the 26th March 1918 the 7th Suffolks were taking up defensive positions in the Albert bridgehead that they had themselves prepared 2 years earlier. With their backs to the wall, they were striving, without artillery support, bombs, rifle grenades or trench mortars, to stem the onrush of the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. They had left billets in Albert and by 15:00 had dug themselves in along the railway, their left resting on Albert station and the right 300 yards south of the Albert-Amiens road. At 16:30 they saw waves of Germans advancing towards Albert and around 17:30 the enemy were seen marching along the Albert-Millencourt road. Here the Suffolks, with a Lewis gun, inflicted heavy casualties but the gun was soon put out of action. Attacks along the railway line were twice driven off . At 22.20 the Germans attacked in great strength and the bridgehead was lost.. At 23:15 a counter attack was attempted by the remnants of 2 Platoon together with some from the 5th Northants. Shortage of ammunition doomed this to failure. The line was then withdrawn 300 yards and stabilised. By the time the battalion was relieved on the 28th and the roll taken, they had suffered 256 casualties, one platoon had been reduced to three men. Of the 72 men recorded as killed on 27th, only 9 have identified graves. Unusually for a war diary, all the other rank casualties, killed and wounded, are named in each Company, hence we know William was in "A" Coy. The Bury Free Press of 25th May 1918 reported:- CHEVELEY N.C.O. KILLED IN ACTION Sincere regret was felt in Cheveley when it became known that Sergt. W.G.Webb, 7th Batt. Suffolk Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs Fred Webb, of Church Lane, Cheveley, had been killed in action on the western front on March 26th, at the age of 24 years. Sergt.Webb enlisted at Newmarket about two years ago, and after being trained at Felixstowe, was drafted overseas, being wounded shortly afterwards and sent to England. After recovering from his wounds he again was sent to France, and took part in considerable fighting. From information received, it appears that the young soldier was killed near Albert, on the Somme, during a German attack on his entrenchment. A letter has been received by the parents form the Captain of the Battalion, part of which reads:-"The loss of such an excellent NCO is indeed great, and it will be most difficult to replace him. He was a man highly respected by both officers and men and one who could always be relied upon to do his duty nobly and well. It may, perhaps, console you to know that he suffered no pain, for he was killed instantly by a machine gun bullet." The knowledge that their son died as he had lived, doing his duty, may in some small way console the hearts of the bereaved parents to whom much sympathy is extended. Previous to joining the Colours, Sergt Webb was employed as a billiard marker at the Rutland Hotel, Newmarket. He had great hopes of returning to his duties at the conclusion of the war.
photo: Roy Beardsworth click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
