No.7736, Private, Richard WEBB
Aged 25
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Richard James Wallis Webb was born in Great Bradley (Risbridge Q3-1889 4A:633) , son of Elizabeth Jane WEBB. She married Robert WALLIS (Newmarket Q3-1892 4A:1031)
Given the propensity for changes in spelling of names, this does appear to be the man. His mother may well have given his name for the Burrough Green memorial (but spelled WALLACE) and his grandmother or uncle put him forward under his legal surname for the Great Bradley memorial. 1891 census...Aged 1,he was at Newmarket Road, Great Bradley with his grandfather Richard WEBB [53] musician born Great Bradley; his grandmother Harriet [43] born Cowlinge; great uncle George WEBB 38] musician born Great Bradley and cousin Luke WEBB [21] farm labourer born Little Thurlow. 1901 census...Aged 11, he was "Below the Hill", Great Bradley with his great uncle George, now a farm engine driver, and his widowed grandmother Harriet. 1911 census...He was in the Suffolk Regt at Polymedia Camp, Cyprus. His service number is compatible with enlisting in 1908 It seems he is the Richard J Webb who married Alice A SPARKES in 1915 (Newmarket Q1-1915 3B:812) since his sole legatee is recorded as widow Alice Ann. The pension card records his widow with an adopted son Bertram SPARKES [10-8-1914]. The card also has Richard's date of death as April, not May. |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. His number indicates around 1908-09
Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" tells us that the understrength battalion on 24th May 1917 marched from billets in Herzeele, towards Ypres. The main bridge over the canal was being heavily shelled and Lt Kemble led the battalion over the canal via a small pontoon bridge. They then cut across country, round the pond at Zillebeke to Witte Poort Farm, suffering a few casualties on the way from shelling. In front to the farm was a sunken road and a deep ditch beyond which a field at the far side of which the Germans were entrenched. The Suffolks, from crouching in their ditch began to push their way through the hedge and attack the German line.They were instantly met by a deadly fire from the Germans, thinning the line so that the line was never reached and they therefore retired. The Brigadier then commanded that Bellewarde Farm was to be taken at all costs and at midnight they again moved up to the west of Witte Poort Farm, but out of touch on both flanks. The order to advance was given but the result was again to be met with withering fire and failure. CWGC records have the 1st Suffolks losing 3 men on 24th May, the bulk of the deaths being 42 recorded as killed on 25th. Only three have identified graves
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and seemingly as Richard WALLACE on the Burrough Green memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
