Sgt George Percy Webb Wiltshitre Reg't

[webbie13]

I'm trying to find information regarding my Great-Grandfather George Percy Webb as a present for my father for Father's Day.

He was a regular soldier in the British army at the start of the War. He was taken prisoner of war and spent most of his time in (I believe) a POW camp in Holland, prison number 7525 (Group4). I'm told his rank was sergeant, although various family members think he may have been a Staff/Colour Sgt or Sgt-Major.

His Army number was 6888 and he served in the Wiltshire Regiment, possibly 2nd Batallion?

His date of birth was 10-1-1886.

He is mentioned in the 1891 census of Uxbridge as a 5 year old.

Any assistance about his Army career would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Webbie

[gortonboy]

hi,,his medal card gives his rank as Sergeant

https://discovery.nationalarchives.go...s?uri=D5797653

[webbie13]

wow, what a great (and quick) start. Thanks gortonboy

[Lesley Robertson]

Did he survive the war?

[webbie13]

He did, he became the Borough surveyor in Tenby (West Wales) after he left service, before returning to Uxbridge area when he died in the 50's

[Sue Mackay]

On the 1911 census he was at Le Marchant Barracks, Roundway, Devizes, described as a corporal, aged 25 and married, born Uxbridge. His occupation was given as groom, but the occupation code written beside it was 240, which is painter and decorator.

[simmo1]

Hi

Ancestry also has his medal card, but in colour and a lot clearer.
Red Cross has POW records - https://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/...isoners-of-war
See also- https://www.icrc.org/web/forms/webfor...2572E200322DD7
but read the line about it being digitised, so you may have to wait a while before you can access that information.

regards

Robert

[SueNSW]

According to the authoritative "Army Service Numbers" blog it looks like he joined up around 1903/04

You can read the transcribed war diary of the 2nd battalion Wiltshire Regiment online on a day by day basis via the website "The Wardrobe" - starting here: https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/resear...ch/regiment:11

or download it from the NA - the period probably relevant to his service is available here - from Aug 1914 - Dec 1915 for GBP3.36

https://discovery.nationalarchives.go...s?uri=C7352428

You will see the Museum also offers to provide any information they may have on individual soldiers

[webbie13]

Wow, you're all experts at this!

To you all....... thank you very much.