Edward Webster


May 6, 1891

Born in Toronto, Ontario

 

Apr 19, 1915

Attested into the 35th Battalion CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Number 404970

Ø  Next of kin given as William Webster, father, 357 Ossington Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Plasterer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

 

Oct 16, 1915

Embarked the SS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

Oct 21, 1915

Promoted to the rank of provisional Sergeant while on board ship

 

Oct 25, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

 

Mar 11, 1916

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Convalescent Hospital, Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

 

Mar 17, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Mar 31, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

 

Apr 1, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 2, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 20, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Webster joined the 21st Battalion in the front lines near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

May 7, 1916

Admitted to the No. 24 Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) before being transported by the No. 11 AT (Ambulance Train) to be admitted to the No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples, France for emergency surgery.

 

Jun 1, 1916

Following his surgery he was transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Camp in Etaples to recover

 

Jun 12, 1916

Discharged from the convalescent camp to the base details in Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness and classified TB (Temporary Base) and put on light duties

 

Jun 15, 1916

Transferred to the base depot in Havre

 

Jun 19, 1916

Private Webster rejoined the 21st Battalion in reserve south of Ypres, Belgium

 

Jul 22, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl Murray 59686 who had been invalided to England

 

Sep 9, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl McKibbon who had been invalided to England.  This was back dated to be in effect from July 20, 1916

 

Sep 15, 1916

The 21st Battalion was assigned the objective of capturing a strongly defended German headquarters in the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France as part of the battle of the Somme.  The fighting was extremely fierce and Corporal Edward Webster was killed in that action.  He was buried in a nearby field north east of the town of Pozieres  by his comrades.  Following the war his remains were exhumed and reburied in the Courcelette British Cemetery, Courcelette, France

 

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William Webster, 635 Ossington Ave., Toronto, Ontario

There was no Memorial Cross issued

 

 

2010

For the 7 nights leading up to November 11, 2010, the names of all Canadian soldiers killed during the war were projected onto the Belgian War Memorial in Ypres.  At the same time, the same names were being broadcast via the internet to schools across Belgium and Canada.  The image above shows the opening ceremonies at the Belgian War Memorial on November 4, 2010. 

Below on the left is the name of Edward Webster being projected on that wall.  Below right shows the name being broadcast to the schools.  Each name appeared for 25 seconds and each night 9,700 names were shown.




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