WEBSTER, Charles

Charles Webster came from Halesowen and was a pre-war soldier in the Welsh Fusiliers. The 1st Battalion were at Malta when the Great War broke out and quickly returned to Britain. In October they joined the First Battle of Ypres and helped to halt the German assault at Pilkem and on the Menin Road. In early1915 they were in Artois and took part in the British plans for a major attack on the German line at Neuve Chapelle. Little was gained and a second attack took place at Festubert on the 16th May. The Welsh Fusiliers were in the front line and left the trenches at 3.15 a.m. Their 'impetuous' attack took them forward successfully and a Sergeant Major was awarded the Victoria Cross. Hundreds of prisoners were taken but the break-through was not achieved. Moreover, losses were high and included Corporal Charles Webster who was killed in action on the 16th March. He is commemorated on the Le Touret and Halesowen Memorials.