Pte 300518 Vincent James Webster

• Age: 29
• From: Wigan, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 7th October 1917
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Vincent James Webster was born in the second quarter of 1888 in Wigan the eldest child of John Webster and his wife Susan (nee Ryan).

The 1891 Census finds Vincent James aged 2 living with his parents and two siblings at Tunstall Lane, Pemberton, Wigan. His father, John, is 29 years of age and is a blacksmith, born in Hindley Green, Lancashire, whilst his mother, Susan, is also 29 born in ireland. His siblings are shown as; Gertrude age 1 and new born Leo.   

By 1901 the family have moved to 11 Mitchell Street, New Town, Pemberton, Wigan. Vincent is 12 years of age and is shown as a draper's errand boy. He now has six siblings all born in Pemberton; Gertrude is 11, Leo is 10, Augustine is 8, Monica is 6, Josephine is 3 and new born Dora.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 38 Ellesmere Road Pemberton. His father John is aged 49, born in 1862, he is recorded as a pick sharpener in a colliery, whilst his mother  Susan is aged 49, born 1862 in Stradbally, Ireland, she is an elementary headteacher for the County Council. They have been married for twenty three years and have had nine children of which three had sadly died (Agnes aged 1, Josephine aged 5 and James who died in infancy). Those listed in the household in 1911 are; Vincent James aged 22, is a pick sharpener, Gertrude Mary aged 21, born 1890 is an assistant elementary teacher for the County Council, Leo aged 20, born 1891 is a student with Custom and Excise, Augustine aged 18, born 1893 is a pick sharpener, Monica aged 16, born 1895 no occupation and Dora aged 10, born 1901 is at school.

Vincent enlisted in Pemberton, Wigan and was formerly 250078, Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300518 when he was killed in action on the 07th October, 1917, aged 29 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

A report on Vincent’s death from the Wigan Observer dated 27^th October, 1917:

Mrs Webster of 572 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton has received official notification of the death of her son “Vince” which occurred in France. Previous to the outbreak of war he served four years in the Lancashire Hussars, and was called up at commencement of hostilities. He had been in France about two years and was recently transferred to the King’s Liverpool Regiment. The following is an extract from a letter from his superior officer conveying the sad tidings

“On Saturday night we had only been in the trenches two hours when a German trench mortar landed in the trench close to where your son was standing, and the concussion from it killed him instantaneously. At all times he was very bright and cheerful and one of the best boys it is possible to have with one.”

Mrs Webster who has another son, Leo serving with the forces at Salonica is the widow of the late Mr John Webster of Ellesmere Road, Pemberton, who previous to his death was for many years employed at the Pemberton Colliery as pick sharpener. The death of Vince, who was well known and deservedly popular among all classes, has evoked many expressions of sympathy with his mother and sisters. Pte. Webster who was 29 years old succeeded his father as pick sharpener at Pemberton Colliery.     

Vincent has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers effects and pension to his mother Susan.

Grateful thanks are extended to Thomas Jones and family for forwarding the photograph of Vincent which now features on the site.

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