Pte 56701 William Webster

The 1881 Census shows the family are living at House 1, 1 Court, Nelson Street, Liverpool. His father, William, is 28 year old carter, born in Chorley, whilst his mother, Louisa, is also 28 years of age and was born in Liverpool. They have two children in the household; Thomas aged 3 and 9 month old William. They also have a boarder. 

By 1891 the family have moved to 27 Fletcher Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His father is now a widower, he is now shown as 38 years of age and is still a carter. He has two children living with him; Thomas Henry aged 12 and William aged 11, both of whom are scholars. 

William married Elizabeth Taylor on 26th August 1900 in St. Peter’s Church, Liverpool, giving his age as 20, his residence as Brownlow Hill, and his occupation as carter.  He states his father William Webster is also a carter.

 

Their son William was born in 1904 and baptised on 09th October 1904, parents’ residence Blake Street. (Blake Street is off Brownlow Hill close to Lime Street station.). A daughter Louisa was born on 24th March 1907. Sadly, two other children died young.

 

In 1911 the family are living at 24 Blake Street.  William is 30, employed as a carter.  Elizabeth is 31, son William is 5 and Louisa 3. They have a boarder, 26-year old James Hayre, a French polisher.

 

At least one more child was born after the census.

William was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment  as Private 56701 when he was killed in action on 26th April 1917.

 

The 18th Battalion diary does not feature any casualties on 26th April 1917.

He now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France where he shares a headstone with William Spencer Davies who was killed on the same day.

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified.

 

His widow Elizabeth received William’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £3 (Soldiers’ Effects appears to show that £2 had already been paid.).  This suggests that William served for about one year before he was killed. The pension card shows that an ordinary pension of £2-4s-2d was awarded for his widow and three minor children; the card also shows an alternative pension of £1-12s-8d.  

William is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall on Panels 32 Right and 33 Left

An entry dated 1921 notes that Elizabeth sought financial help with her son’s apprenticeship.

 

Elizabeth and Louisa Webster are listed on the 1929 electoral roll for 27 Blake Street.

 

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