Name
Bertie Andrew Webster
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
48832
Worcestershire Regiment
1st Bn.
'D' Coy. 14th Platoon
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Bertie Andrew Webster was born in 1886 in Baldock, Hertfordshire, the son and youngest child of James and Susannah Webster (nee Campkin). He was baptised on 7 November 1886 AT Baldock.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Park Street, Baldock, where his father was working as a bricklayer's labourer. They remained in Park Street in 1901 at which time 14 year old Bertie was the only child living at home and was working as a baker's errand boy. He was still living with his parents in 1911 but at that time he was working as a baker and supporting his parents as his 74 year old father had no occupation.
Bertie married Laura Garner in 1912 and they lived in 41 Bygrave Road, Baldock and they had a son, Arthur George, on 28 August 1916. Bertie had been employed as a baker by F. P. Farr prior to enlistment.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin and served with the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment .
Bertie was posted to France in January 1918 and would have spent a very cold January on the Passchedaele Ridge with periods in the shell holes of the front line, followed by periods of heavy work at labour camps in the Salient.
He was killed in action during the Battle of Rosieres when the enemy launched a strong attack and overwhelmed British positions. Bertie was initially reported wounded and missing but his death was later presumed on or since 28 March 1918. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His widow Laura received a war gratuity of £8 and pay owing of £13 16s 5d was divided between his widow and their child. She also received a widow's pension of 13s 9d with a children's allowance of 6s 8d, totalling £1 0s 5d a week. It was later increased to £2 4s 0d.
Her address on pension records was given as 7 Chequer Lane, Preston, Nr. Hitchin, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, www.worcestershireregiment.com
