Name
George Thomas Webster
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/02/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
15727
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RUE-DU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX
I. D. 22.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
George was the son of Alfred and Charlotte Webster (nee Sygrove), birn in Hatfield around 1894. They married in 1889 and in 1891 they were living in one of the Brewery Cottages, in Hatfield, where Alfred worked at a brewery.
By 1901 Afred had died and in the census George was living with his widowed mother and sisters Daisy (10) and Ethel (9). George was 7. They were living in Ground Lane, Hatfield. His mother was working as a matron to the Police Station. By 1911 the children had left home and Charlotte was working as a County Council caretaker and living alone at 2 Ground Lane, Hatfield, Herts. George, now 17, was a boarder at 44 North Street Luton, and working as a Lad Porter for the GNR.
He enlisted on 24th August 1914.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield when he enlisted in Doncaster.
Wartime Service
After enlisting he became Corporal 15727, 8th Battalion, King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) and was killed in action.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of December 1914, in the fourth list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded “Webster George Thomas, Ground Lane, Kings Own Light Infantry.”, then in March 1916: “Hatfield Roll of Honour. Killed in Action..... George Webster, Corporal, K.O.Y.L.I. War Notes – The Roll of Honour includes two of our Hatfield men who died doing their duty, and whose names will never be forgotten, for they, like so many others, have upheld the honour of their King and Country, and have given their brave lives in the course of justice. Parishioners can only earnestly offer their respectful sympathy to the bereaved Mothers and a sorrowing Father. Mrs Webster.... have kindly permitted the publication of two following letters which show plainly in what high estimation both young men were held, and how sincerely they were each of them mourned in their respective Regiments:-
“B” Company, 8th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, B.E F. France, 2nd Feb. 1916,
“Dear Madam – I am very grieved to inform you that your son, Corporal G. Webster, was killed in action yesterday while gallantly doing his duty. Captain Horsley and all “B” Company Officers held high opinion of your boy, and offer you their most sincere sympathy.” Malcolm G. Donaldson, 2nd Lieutenant.”
Awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Webster (Mother) of Ground Lane, Hatfield, received an “In Memoriam & Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
