Name
Harry Webb
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/05/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
265541
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAGNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, GEZAINCOURT
II. A. 24.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
Harry born in Hatfield circa 1895 and was the son of John and Sarah Ann Webb, later recorded of Pond Hill Hatfield Herts.
In the 1901 census Harry 6 was living in Batterdale, Hatfield, with his parents and siblings: Alfred (10), Herbert (8) and Marjorie (1). His father was a house painter. In 1911 the family were living at Pond Hill, Hatfield. Harry at 15, was working as a grocer’s assistant.
By the time he enlisted in Hertford on the 1st September 1914, his occupation was given as bottler at brewery. He was 5’ 7” tall, had black hair, a fresh complexion and blue eyes.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and was living there when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
His service record, which is partially damaged, shows that Harry attested at 19 and 2 months, into the 1st Herts Regiment, as Private 2601. This is a little misleading as the service number indication that he was already in the Herts Regiment as part of the Territorial Force, having enlisted prior to January 1914 and after 27th January 1913. So these service records reflect his volunteering for overseas service – Territorials were not required to serve overseas.
Harry started his overseas service on the 6th November 1914 and it is an interesting record, not without blemish, yet was still promoted, but he saw a lot of action was wounded, so perhaps that is understandable.
While in Boulogne on 19 August 1915 he left the ranks without permission and received 7-days ? punishment.
He was granted 7-days home leave from the Field on 12 December 1915
He was wounded “at duty” 17 October 1916, but no details were given and again on 31 July 1917, almost certainly at St Julien(*1) and was at No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station the same day and admitted to No. 20 General Hospital and then transported by Hospital Ship Grantelly Castle (may be a spelling error) back to England.
In early 1917 soldiers who had enlisted or were serving in a Territorial Force regiment were issued with a new, six-digit service number, Harry’s was 265541. This was largely related to the huge increase in the numbers of men serving in the infantry regiments and the need to avoid confusion.
He was returned to England on 7 August and admitted to Eastleigh Military Hospital on 8 August 1917 with a gunshot wound to left wrist. On the same date he appears to have been posted to Depot at Shoreham (probably). He then went to Holborn Military Hospital, Western Road, Mitcham on the 17th and not discharged until 31 October. He was then posted to Depot. Then another Gun Shot Wound was recorded on 9 November 1917, this time to the right arm, but confusingly he was still in England the treatment recorded was “Received Massage” and so it may have been treatment for his wound received in 1915. He was marked as fit on 14 December 1917.
Beds 5th Reserve on 21 January 1918 and from there was ordered back overseas and shortly afterwards (25 February) went absent without leave for 23 hours and 20 minutes. He was punished with 8-days CW(?) and forfeiting of some pay.
He left for Boulogne 15 March 1918, posted to the 6th Bedfords 15 March and then the 4th Bedfords the following day
Promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) 31 March 1918 and then paid from 8 April and to Corporal 16 May 1918.
He received a gunshot wound to the jaw and right elbow 9 days later and allow admitted to 148 Field Ambulance and 56 Casualty Clearing Station the same day died of his wounds.
4th Battalion Bedfordshire War Diary for the 25th reads:
25 May 1918 2/Lt W.W.Miln killed. Capt H.R. Gledstone and 2/Lt W.Mathieson missing believed killed 2/Lt P.E.J.Smith, 2/Lt C.SCUTT, 2/Lt G.F.Wibberley, 2/Lt T.A.Colls wounded 6 OR's killed 11 OR's missing. 31 OR's wounded 1 Gassed 7 ORs joined.
Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine, October 1914 in the second list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: "Webb, H, Pond Hill, 1st Herts Territorials."
The Herts Advertiser dated 8 June 1918, reported: "Cpl. H. Webb, aged 22 Beds Regt., youngest son of Mr and Mrs Webb of Batterdale, Hatfield has died of wounds received in action on May 25th. He enlisted along with his elder brother, Lance."
*1 The 1st Hertfordshire Battalion were in support of an attack on the Langemarck Line and a general bombardment of the German lines commenced at 3.45am on the 31st July and the planned assault began. It had three objectives to achieve known as Blue, Black & Green and units of the 116th Brigade easily captured the first two objectives, preparing the way for the forward companies of the Hertfordshire battalion, to take the third objective.
They had marched from Vlamertingue to their assembly position arriving by midnight on the 30th/31st July 1917. A general bombardment of the German lines commenced at 3.45am on the 31st July. At 05.00am the Hertfordshires left their assembly positions to attack their objective, which lay over the crest of a ridge.
As they made their way forward, they came under heavy fire from both German machine guns and snipers but after eliminating a German strongpoint moved up towards St. Juliaan, which was only lightly held. The Battalion crossed the Steenbeek with some difficulty and two of its supporting Tanks became bogged down in the mud. Things then went from bad to worse. A pre-arranged artillery barrage never materialised due to the guns being unable to move forward over the muddy terrain and the German barbed wire defences, which were fifteen feet deep in some places, were found to still be intact. It was soon realised that ground could only be won by section "rushes" supported by the unit’s own fire.
The Cheshire Regiment were on the right of the battalion but the Black Watch, who were due to cover the left flank, had been seriously delayed. This left the Hertfordshire Regiment seriously exposed, the Germans exploited this by bringing a hurricane of fire down upon the stricken troops. This was followed by a German counterattack and by 10.30am it was clear that the objective could not be achieved. Casualties were very heavy with 459 men being killed, missing or wounded. This was 100% of its Officers and about 75% of its Other Ranks.
Additional Information
His effects, and later his medals were sent to his mother
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mr John Webb (Father) of Pond Hill, Hatfield, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Service Record Found.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
