Webster Kenneth Sapper 14423363
Personnel Entry
Name Webster Kenneth
Army number 14423363.
Rank Sapper
Decorations Granted the Netherlands Medal of the Bronze Cross - gazetted 15/10/1945. For Citation see below.
Date of birth Born 4/10/1921.
Age (At time of death). Not yet known.
Unit Enlisted in the General Staff Corps. Underwent Basic Training at a Primary Training Centre. Posted to 294th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Served Normandy.
Company/Battery
Platoon or other sub-unit Not yet known.
Task or role Surveyor and reconnaissance duties.
Joined Brigade Not yet known.
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not so far as is known.
Prisoner of War Not so far as is known.
Died/Killed in action Research identified a London Gazette Notice seeking claims against Kenneth Webster's Estate. He died on 1/9/2004.
Home address 252, Yarm Road, Darlington, County Durham. The 1939 General Register shows him as living there with his parents and siblings and working as an Articled Pupil Municipal Engineer. His last address at the time of his death was 13, Birkett Avenue, Ellesmere Port and he was described as a Retired Municipal Engineer.
Source table
The Citation for Sapper Webster's Award can be found in The National Archives, under File Reference WO 373/144/550 and reads as follows:-
"During the clearing of the NIJMEGEN "Island" Spr Webster was employed with his Officer carrying out recces throughout the Operation. Most of these were under shell and mortar fire and several in front of our own forward troops. By his gallantry and skill he assisted his Officer in obtaining the necessary information on every occasion.
During the night of 1 April 1945, immediately prior to the assault, he was out with his Officer and an infantry patrol to obtain information about a vital bridge in the enemy lines North of BEMHEL. In spite of the fact that one member of the party was killed by one of two mines which exploded, and the bridge was heavily mined, a detailed recce was carried out and the information brought back.
Throughout these operations his untiring energy and complete disregard of danger enabled the Company to fulfil its tasks and materially assisted in the overthrowing of the enemy and the liberation of the Netherlands".
The recommendation was put forward by the Commander Royal Engineers of 49th Infantry Division and endorsed by the Lieutenant General in command of the 1st Corps District.
Some information on this Page has been extracted from the Commemorative Booklet, prepared by Major Langley, covering the period from D-Day to VE Day in addition to that extracted from the War Diaries. There are issues around the possible duplication of names which remain to be clarified.
