No.12768 , Private, John WEBBER
Aged 23
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John Webber was born in Isleham on 4th December 1891 (Newmarket Q1-1892 3B:526) and baptised in Isleham on 27th November 1892 , the son of David and Martha
WEBBER (née REED).
1901 census...Aged 9, he was at East End, Isleham, with his father David WEBBER [48] a road man; his mother Martha [47], brothers Ernest [20] horse man on farm, Ben [18] a coal carter, Arthur [16] horse man on farm, Joseph [12], and Albert [7], also sisters Florence [15], Dorey [4], Rhoda [3] and Agnes [1] and David's grandson George WEBBER [8]. All of them were born in Isleham. 1911 census...Aged 19, he was a market gardener, still living at East End, Isleham with his parents, brothers Joseph (farm labourer) and Albert ( horse man on farm) and David's grandsons George (market Gardener) and Cecil Gordon [5], plus his sisters Rhoda and Agnes. His mother Martha had borne 16 children but three had died. |
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Enlisted in Newmarket. With no service record available and dying from his wounds, it is not possible to state where and when he was wounded. Lt Col.Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" tell us the 2nd Suffolks in March 1915 were in the Vierstraat area of Flanders, doing nothing in particular. Although in a state of readiness, not once sent over the top nor having to repel any serious attacks. Such was the usual attrition and wastage though, 140 casualties were sustained in the month. Sniper fire and rifle grenades accounting for some men. 12 men of the battalion died between 1st and 5th March 1915. The Newmarket Journal of 13th March 1915 reported :- ISLEHAM MAN KILLED IN ACTION "News has just been received of the death of Pte.,J.Webber at the Front. He was leaving the trenches when a bullet struck him in the shoulder and entered his spine. He was removed, and died at the base hospital. Pte. J.Webber was one of the first from Isleham to enlist in Kitchener's Army, and left England early in January with a draft of the 3rd Suffolk Regiment." Then, on the 20th March, the Journal reported:- THE LATE PTE. WEBBER:- The Rev H.T.A Peacey (chaplain) in a letter dated March 7th, to Mrs. Webber,m announcing the death of her son Pte. John Webber, 2nd Suffolks, says Pte. Webber "was seriously wounded on Thursday of last week. The bullet entered the upper part of his left arm and presumably struck his heart. He was sent down here from his regimental dressing station in an ambulance waggon, but passed away on the journey, so life was extinct when I saw him. I said a prayer over his body, and buried him next day, March 5th, the churchyard in which the burial took place is here mentioned). A wooden cross with his name burnt into it marks the grave. I know it will be a great sorrow to you, but it will help you to bear it to remember that he has given his life for other sin defence of what we believe to be true and just and right; and so we believe he will have a special reward of God. And you are asked to surrender him to God's keeping, and I feel sure you will try to give your gift un-grudgingly. He looked very beautiful in death. May God bless you, and grant him everlasting rest" Pte. John Webber was the son of Mr and Mrs David Webber of East End. For a long period he was in the employ of the Messrs.Watson, market gardeners and was well known in Newmarket. Mr and Mrs Webber and family have the heartfelt sympathy of many friends." |
photo; Rodney Gibson
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