No.5105, Private, Frederick WEBB
Aged 26
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Frederick Ales Tredgett Webbe was born in Castle Camps (Linton Q4-1889 3B:501), son of Frederick and Fanny WEBB (née COWELL). His mother married Frederick WEBB in Q2-1889 1891 census...Aged 1, Frederick WEBB, he was at Castle Camps with his father Frederick WEBB [35] driver of agricultural engine, born Great Bradley; his mother Fanny [31]; half brothers Gerald COWELL [8] and Daniel COWELL [3]; half sister Avey Belle COWELL [5]. All except his father were born in Castle Camps. 1901 census...Aged 11, Frederick WEBBE, he was at Ashdon Road, Castle Camps with his parents, (father now farm labourer born Kedington); half brothers Gerald W and Daniel(both straw binders); half sister Affie( they have now taken the surname Webb ) brothers Ernest [8], Joseph [6] and Albert Edward [4]. The new siblings all born in Castle Camps. 1911 census...Aged 21, a house porter, he was at Regent Hall, Oxford Street, London. Regent Hall was a Salvation Army centre, that night housing 414 persons. At Ashdon Road, Castle Camps still were his parents (father now born Castle Camps); brothers Ernest (farm labourer), Joseph (stable boy), Albert (kitchen boy) Charlie [10] and sister Dorothy [7] The new children born Castle Camps. All 10 children survive. The pension card for him and half brother Gerald Cowell has their mother at Puddlebrook, Haverhill. Gerald is possibly commemorated on the Roll of Honour in Bury St Edmunds |
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He enlisted in Linton.
The war diary:- Delville Wood - 3/9/16 - About 3 am orders received that the Division on our right was going to attack GINCHY at 12 noon and that we were to attack ALE ALLEY from the N and NW and so assist them.The bombing officer of the Brigade on our immediate right came to our HQ and said that he was going to attack the enemy barrier S of HOP VALLEY. This was after the order had been received saying that 3 bombing squads would be sent to attack ALE ALLEY. This alteration at the last moment greatly upset things. We commenced the attack on ALE ALLEY at 12 noon and almost succeeded in taking it, but owing to the Brigade on our right being held up by machine gunfire and thereby not being able to assist us, we were compelled to fall back to our original line. This attack was led in person by LtCol CVM de la FONTAINE who unfortunately was wounded shortly after the attack commenced. Our own artillery did not assist us very much. Our heavy guns were throwing shells into our own trenches instead of on ALE ALLEY, our Stokes guns failed to fire anywhere near the enemy trenches and the TM firing smoke bombs stopped firing much too soon. . The casualty list shows Fred as missing, believed killed. Frederick's original grave was found north west of the village of Longeuval and re-interred in Delville Wood Cemetery which is SE of the village. The battalion had 46 killed, of which 32 have no known grave.
Frederick's original grave was found just off the top left of this area, between High Wood and Delville Wood Frederick's original grave was found in a search of the yellow square. photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
