Top Navigation

Willie WEBSTER

Main CPGW Record

Surname: WEBSTER

Forename(s): Willie

Place of Birth: Harden (Kelbrook), Yorkshire

Service No: 41534

Rank: L/Corporal

Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 2nd Battalion

Division: 36th (Ulster) Division

Age: 23

Date of Death: 1918-03-21

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. G. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: CONONLEY, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Willie Webster was the son of Hartley and Agnes Webster, née Whitaker. Hartley was born at Harden near Kelbrook and Agnes at Lothersdale, Yorkshire. Willie was the cousin of Gunner Lewis Cardwell, 123218 (q.v.).

1901 Cononley, Yorkshire Census: Moor Top - Willie Webster, aged 6 years, born Thornton-in-Craven [Parish], Yorkshire, son of Hartley and Agnes Webster.

1911 Cononley, Yorkshire Census: Moor Top - Willie Webster, aged 16 years, born Harden, Kelbrook, Yorkshire, son of Hartley and Agnes Webster.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Willie Webster, 41534, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

WEBSTER, Lance Corporal Willie, R.I.F., formerly of Cononley, died from gas poisoning, France, March 23, 1918.

---

Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.

L/Corporal Willie WEBSTER

L/Corporal Willie WEBSTER

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 36th (Ulster) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 36th (Ulster) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WEBSTER

Forename(s): William

Born: Lettersdale, Yorks

Residence: Keighley

Enlisted: Halifax

Number: 41534

Rank: L/Cpl

Regiment: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 21/03/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: WEBSTER

Forename(s): Willie

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 41534

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Unit: "D" Coy. 2nd Bn.

Age: 23

Awards:

Died Date: 21/03/1918

Additional Information: Son of Hartley and Agnes Webster, of Moor Top Farm, Cononley, Keighley, Yorks.

---

---

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

19 April 1918

CONONLEY – War Casualties

…A pal of Private Willie Webster has written to Mr. and Mrs. Webster, at Moor Top Farm, Cononley, to say he is sorry no news has been heard of Pte. Webster for over a fortnight. No official information has yet been received and hopes are still felt that some news will come in yet.

06 September 1918

Cononley War Casualties

A short time ago Mr. Hartley Webster, of Moor Top Farm, Cononley, received an intimation from the Geneva Red Cross that the identification disc of his son, Lance-Corporal Willie Webster, had been handed in at Berlin. This aroused much anxiety for it was hoped at least that he was a prisoner of war in Germany, having been missing since the great set-back in March last. The worst fears were realised last week-end when information came from the Zurich Red Cross that he had died from wounds in a German hospital. Lance-Corporal Webster joined the 90th Battalion Training Reserve in January, 1917. He was employed on his father’s farm at Moor Top. He as an attender at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, where he will be very much missed. He was a fine young man physically, one of that type which can ill be spared. He is the ninth in the village to make the great sacrifice. As a boy he attended the Cononley Council School. Much sympathy has been expressed by the whole village for the sad loss which his parents and sister have sustained.

13 September 1918

CONONLEY – The Fate of Private Webster

The paragraph last week respecting Private Willie Webster was perhaps more explicit than the facts. The Zurich Red Cross presume his death only, and as similar cases have occurred when better news has ultimately come to hand his parents are still hopeful of hearing, even yet, from him. They will be very grateful to hear any news of him, should this meet the eyes of any of his comrades in the regiment, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

21 March 1919

WEBSTER – In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Lance-Corporal Willie Webster, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died in hospital at Origny, March 23rd, 1918, aged 23 years.

No loved ones stood beside him
To hear his last farewell;
No words of comfort could he have
From those who loved him well.
Just to have seen him and clasped his hand
Before he was called to the better land.

From his loving Father, Mother and Sister, Cononley.

WEBSTER – In ever loving memory of a dear friend, Lance-Corporal Willie Webster, who died in France, March 23rd, 1918.

“Greater love hath no man than this – that a man lay down his life for his Friend..”

From his friend Edith.

WEBSTER – In affectionate remembrance of Lance-Corporal Willie Webster, who died March 23rd, 1918.

Some time, some day, we’ll understand
When we meet again in the better land.

From Uncle, Aunt, and Cousins, Junction, Crosshills.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

19 April 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR

Cononley Soldier Missing

A pal of Pte. William Webster has written to Mr. and Mrs. Webster, at Moor Top Farm, Cononley, to say he is sorry no news had been heard of Pte. Webster for over a fortnight. No official information has yet been received, but hopes are still felt that some news will come in yet from him.

06 September 1918

Cononley Casualties

A short time ago Mr. Hartley Webster, of Moor Top Farm, Cononley, received an intimation from the German Red Cross that the identification disc of his son, Lance-Corpl. Willie Webster, had been handed in at Berlin. This roused much anxiety, for it was hoped at least that he was a prisoner of war in Germany, having been missing since the great set back in March last. The worst fears, however, were realised last week-end when information came from the Zurich Red Cross that he had died from wounds in a German hospital. Lance-Corpl. Webster joined the 90th Battalion Training Reserve in January, 1917. He was previously employed on his father’s farm at Moor Top, and consequently his duties prevented him from taking part in the usual outdoor sports in the village. Though of a retiring disposition he had won the highest respect and esteem of all who knew him, as he always had a cordial and genial disposition. He attended the Primitive Methodist Chapel, where he will be very much missed. He was a fine young man physically, one of that type which can ill be spared. He is the ninth in the village to make the great sacrifice. As a boy he attended the Cononley Council School. Much sympathy has been expressed by the whole village for the sad loss which his parents and sister have sustained.

13 September 1918

Cononley Parents Hope

The paragraph last week respecting Pte. Willie Webster, of Cononley, was perhaps more explicit than the facts warranted. The Zurich Red Cross “presumed” his death only, and similar cases hare occurred when better news has ultimately come to hand. His parents are hopeful of hearing, even yet, from him. They will be very grateful to hear any news of him, should this meet the eyes of any of his comrades in the regiment, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Submit a Correction

    Name (required)

    Email Address (required)

    Telephone (required)

    Soldier Reference - Name:

    Soldier Reference - URL:

    Details of the correction to be made (required)

    Comment on this Soldier Record

    You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.

    No comments yet.

    Leave a Reply

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This