WEBSTER, Harry

Harry Webster was the son of Albert and Ellen Webster of 58 Somers Road, Halesowen, and attended Halesowen C of E school. He worked for Walter Somers and Co. and enlisted in the Worcester Territorials. He went to the 2/8th Battalion who arrived in France in 1916 and were heavily involved in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. Early in 1918 they faced the German Spring Offensives and were in the front line at St. Quentin, From the 21st March they were driven back for eight days nearly as far as Amiens. Then they were moved to Artois for rebuilding, only to be attacked again. The second German offensive arrived on the 9th April and an attempt was made to halt them in the Battle of Hazebrouck and Private Harry Webster was injured near this town. He was transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station near Boulogne, where he died on the 25th April. He was 27 years of age and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery (XXXII C 3) and commemorated on the Halesowen, Halesowen C of E school and Walter Somers and Co. Memorials.