Cpl 21655 John Stanley Webster

• Age: 27
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Wednesday 21st August 1918
• Commemorated at: Etaples Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: LXVII.G.14

John Stanley Webster was born in 1890 in Liverpool and was the son of John and Elizabeth Webster (nee Draper). His parents had married 23rd Sept 1878 in St Michaels, Toxteth, Liverpool.

John Stanley is listed on the 1891 Census which shows the family living at Mill Street. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 103 St James Street, Liverpool. His father John is a Carter born in Liverpool in 1857 whilst his mother Elizabeth is a Dressmaker born in Liverpool in 1858. John Stanley is 10 years of age and has 4 siblings listed who were all born in Liverpool; William H. a Carter born 1883, Blanche a Dressmaker b. 1885, Emily A. b.1887 and Madelaine M. b.1893.

The 1911 Census finds the family living at 27 Washington Street, Liverpool. Both parents are present in the household, John Stanley is now 20 years of age and a Flour dealer's clerk. His siblings present are William Henry, and Madelaine Maud. There are also 3 boarders present in the household.' 

He enlisted in Liverpool on 14th September 1914 joining the 19^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 21655. He gave his age as 24years and 3 days and his occupaton as a corn traveller. He was described as being five feet seven and half inches tall, weighed 114 lbs, 35" chest, had a fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and gave his relgion as Church of England.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

Several misdemeanours for carrying rifle improperly, losing his cap, and writing a highly inappropriate letter.

15.8.16: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal. 

06.9.15: To Lewis gun Coy. in Le Touquet.

20.9.16: Appointed paid Acting Lance Corporal.

On leave to UK 29th Nov 1916 rejoining 12th Jan 1917

16.4.17: Promoted to Corporal.

On leave to UK 10th Oct 1917 rejoining 30th Oct 1917

6.11.17: To VIII Corps School as an instructor and appointed paid Acting Sergeant.

Banns of marriage were first posted at St Brides Church, Liverpool on 17th March 1918 for the marriage between John Stanley Webster of 11 Upper Parliament Street and Alice Lavinia Parker.  

30.7.18: Reverted to Corporal when leaving school.

04.8.18: To 7th Canadian General Hospital, Etaples with influenza.

John died of pneumonia at the Canadian General Hospital at Etaples on the 21^st August 1918, aged 27. 

He now rests at Etaples Military Cemetery, France, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HE DIED AS HE LIVED A GENTLEMAN LOVED BY MOTHER AND ALL”

During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick. In September 1919, ten months after the Armistice, three hospitals and the Q.M.A.A.C. convalescent depot remained.

The cemetery contains 10,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the earliest dating from May 1915. 35 of these burials are unidentified. It is the largest CWGC cemetery in France, and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

A letter was sent from Hospital recording circumstances of his death:- contracted a severe influenza, later bronco-pneumonia complicated, became extensive and patient died at 9.45pm on 21st August 1918. 

Personal items returned, he was revising for a possible commission:- 6 French books, 5 military books, wallet, writing pad, 3 note books, army form MT393a. [Army form MT393a is an application for a commission).

His death was reported in the local press:

WEBSTER -  August 21, at military hospital of pneumonia, Sgt John Webster (Jack), K.L.R., the dearly beloved youngest son of John and Elizabeth Ann Webster, 11 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool

Probate was granted to his mother Elizabeth on on 18th March 1919 in the sum of £104 1s and 10d. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Elizabeth Ann.

We currently have no further information on John Stanley Webster, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.