No. G/43927, Private, Frederick Rowland WEBB
Aged 28
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Frederick Rowland WEBB was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1888 4A:611), son of William and Bertha (Bathsheba) WEBB (née BARRETT ).
His father was first married to Mary Anne BEAVIS and they had 4 children, Stephen [1862}, Eliza [1866], Kate 1867[ and John [1870]. Mary Anne died in 1876 and it appears that William then married Bathsheba (Bertha) BARRETT in 1878
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Hamlet Road, Haverhill with his father William WEBB [55] silk weaver; his mother Bertha [41] trousers hand, born Great Thurlow; brothers Ernest [11] and Albert [7]; sisters Elizabeth [9] and Jessie [5]. All were born in Haverhill. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at 23 Mill Road, Haverhill with his parents (father now steward at Liberal Club); sisters Lizzie (hair weaver), Jessie (jacket machinist) and Flora [6]; brother Stanley [9]. 1911 census... Aged 22, fibre mat weaver, he was still at 23 Mill Road, Haverhill with his parents (father back to being a silk weaver); sister Jessie (sewing machinist) and a visitor Arthur GODDEN [23] a Corporal in the Coldstream Guards, born London. Sisters Lizzie (shop keeper) and Florrie (assisting sister), together with brother Stanley (baker) were at 63 Kings Street, Southall, Middlesex. CWGC have his mother's address as 46 Duddery Road, Haverhill. |
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He enlisted in Hounslow, when resident in Southall. The South West Suffolk Echo of 13th January 1916 reported that:- "Mr. and Mrs. Webb of Mill Road, Haverhill, have been officially notified that their youngest ( what about Stanley?) son, Pte. F.R.Webb of the Middlesex Regt.,was killed in action in France, on November 13th last.He had been previously been report missing for eight weeks. Pte. Webb who was 28 years of age, had been in business inLondon for four years prior to enlistment." His Battalion, 17th Middlesex were known as the "Footballers Battalion" being a Pals battalion that had recruited many from professional football clubs. ON 12th November 1917 they had marched from Mailly to form up for an attack on Pendant Copse near Serre. Zero hour was 5:45 am and after a preliminary bombardment they went over the top at 5:51. The mist was so dense they had difficulty in finding their way, the objective was invisible and the attack faltered at 7:20. Many units became mixed up in no man's land and although the German artillery was not heavy, a great deal of trouble was caused by hostile machine guns. Then un cut wire held them up, luckily the mist, as well as hiding the objective also helped hide the attacking waves. They had however become very disorientated and several began to return. These were gathered together and told to hold Legend Trench. Order later came to hold the front line by strong posts and machine guns. This was done for the rest of the day. The enemy artillery heavily targeted the trenches and caused so much damage men were forced to use the tops regardless of enemy fire. CWGC have the 17th Middlesex losing 96 men killed in the 13th November, 64 of them with no known grave. |
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