No. M2/047856, Private, Thomas William WEBB
Aged 41
Advance Base M.T.Depot, Army Service Corps
Died of illness on 10th September 1917
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Thomas William WEBB was born in Haverhill on 30th August 1876 (Risbridge Q3-1876 4A:475), baptised in St Mary's Haverhill on 4th September 1876,
son of John Cook and Rosa WEBB (née PARSLOW). His mother died in 1879 aged 27 (maybe 1880 aged 40) His father married Rosa FARROW in 1880 1881 census...Aged 4, he was at Peas Hill, Haverhill with his father John Cook WEBB [30] a coachman; his step-mother Rosa [21] and brother Hardy Cook WEBB [6]. All were born in Haverhill. 1891 census...Aged 15, he may be a servant at Colehill College, Fulham Palace Road. His father (warehouseman)and stepmother Rose were at 76 Primrose Hill, Haverhill with his brother Hardy C (baker); half brothers Harry [9] and James [4 months]; half sisters Elizabeth A [7] and Mary J [4] (all born in Haverhill) On 23rd February 1893 Thomas signed up for 7 years in the colours with the Suffolk Regiment, joining them as Pte 3483 at Bury St Edmunds. In 1901 He re-engaged for 4 years on 23rd February 1905 and was discharged at the end of the term on 22nd February 1909. 1901 census...Aged 25, he was a private in the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and serving at St Peter Port on the island of Guernsey. At 76 Primrose Hill still were his father and stepmother; half brother Harry (tailor); half sisters Elizabeth A jacket machinist, Mary J trousers machinist and Alice M [7]. On 25th December 1903, in St Mary's Haverhill, he married Elizabeth Maria CANSDALE [18-7-1874]. There was one child, George Thomas CANSDALE (1904 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 276). This is strange as records show no father's name for George, but Thomas was already married to Elizabeth. The pension card does say that George Thomas CANSDALE was adopted, Thomas's widow having moved to 8 Avenue Road. Regents Park NW8. 1911 census... Aged 35, a coachman, he was at 2 Duddery Road, Haverhill with his wife Elizabeth [35] born Fordham, Essex; nephews Frederick Cansdale [10] born Aldham, Essex and George Cansdale [6] born Willesden and a boarder John Thomas West [23] grocer's manager. Frederick Walter CANSDALE was born 1901 M Quarter in LEXDEN Volume 04A Page 813. Too old for inclusion on pension card. The two boys, adopted sons of Elizabeth and Thomas. They were of course actually Elizabeth's nephews, not Thomas's. Thomas and Elizabeth were childless During his 16 years service he spent a year in South Africa. Thomas was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange free State and Transvaal. His service records record his next of kin as his father John Cook Webb of Primrose Hill, Haverhill, later replaced by his wife Elizabeth, née CANSDALE |
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He attested in Haverhill on 23rd February 1893 for 7 years in the colours with the Suffolk Regiment, joining them as No.3483 at Bury St Edmunds. He gave his age as 18 years, born in Haverhill, a groom.l He was 5 feet 7.5 inches (171.5cm) tall,weighed 129 lbs (58.7 kg), chest 33" to 35" (83.8 to 88.9 cm), grey eyes, dark brown hair, Church of England. It was noted that his chest measurement did not meet the standard by one inch, but that in a reasonable time he would develop into an efficient soldier. Posted to 1st Battalion on 21st May 1893, promoted to unpaid L/Cpl on 21st August 1896 and to paid L/Cpl on 21st October that year. Promoted to Corpl on 1st January 1898, ( he passed class of Instruction for promotion to Corporal on 14/11/1896 and to Sergeant on 12/9/1898 posted to Depot 15th January 1899 and to 1st Battalion 30th October 1899. On 6th July 1900 he was convicted of drunkenness on active duty and reduced to Private and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, forfeiting all good conduct badges. The sentence was remitted and he returned to duty on 6th January 1901. He re-engaged for 4 years on 23rd February 1905 and was discharged at the end of the term on 22nd February 1909. His tours of duty were:- Home 23/2/1893 to 10/11/1899 - South Africa 11/11/1899 to 6/10/1900 - Home 7/10/1900 to 22/2/1909, 16 years in total. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange free State and Transvaal. The records show his next of kin as his father John Cook Webb of Primrose Hill, Haverhill, later replaced by his wife Elizabeth, née CANSDALE who he married at St Mary's Haverhill on 25th December 1903. At his medical in Ipswich on 2nd February 1915 he was 5 feet 10.5 inches tall, weighed 136 lbs , chest 34.5" to 36.5". On 11th February 1915 he enlisted at Grove Park in the Army Service Corps (No. M2/047856). He gave his age as 38, a chauffeur, married, from 2 Duddery Road, Haverhill, previously served in 1st Suffolks. He embarked at Avonmouth on HMT "Melville" for Alexandria on 23rd March 1915, arriving in Alexandria on 9th April. On 23rd September 1915, per HMT "Clan McGillivray" he went to Kephalos where he was transferred to MT Detachment at Mudros as batman to Lieut CHUBB. While in Mudros he was promoted to acting unpaid Corporal. He arrived back in Alexandria on 24th January 1916 and proceeded to Ismailia where he was transferred to Motor Boat Company on 11th February 1916, returning to his unit on 25th February. He managed a months leave in UK from 3rd August to 30th August 1916. More leave followed, in Alexandria in January 1917, returning to his unit on 12th January 1917 He was admitted to hospital (pyrexia) on 5th May 1917, discharged 14th but re admitted with abdominal pains (discovered to be caused by a fish bone) on 24th May, transferred to No.27 General Hospital, Abbassia, Cairo on 3rd June 1917, he died there as the result of an abscess operation on 10th September 1917 The South West Suffolk Echo of 29th September 1917 reported that:- "Mrs. Webb of 2 Duddery Road,has been officially notified by the A.S.C. Records Office, that her husband Pte. Thomas William Webb of the Army Service Corps died at Alexandria, Egypt on September 10th from an abscess following an operation. Pte.Webb, who had seen service in South Africa, was the son of Mr. John Cook Webb of Primrose Hill, and prior to joining up acted for many years as chauffeur to Mr. D.M. Gurteen of The Mount. He was a very popular figure in the town and neighbourhood, and his cheery and obliging nature gained him a host of friends who will sincerely regret his demise." |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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