Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Alexander Elder Edward Webb, known as Ted, was the third son of Andrew Webb and Helen Jane née Waddell. He was born on 16 November 1888 at Temuka, South Canterbury. Irish-born Andrew emigrated in 1874 and married New Zealander Helen in 1879 at Temuka. In April 1887, Andrew Webb bought a section at Arowhenua. In December 1889, Mr Andrew Webb, of Arowhenua, sustained serious injury to one of his bands through the bursting of a kerosene lamp. He was progressing fairly well, it was reported, until a week later when it was feared that his hand would have to be amputated, as the injuries are more severe than were at first reported. Mrs A. Webb frequently, and successfully, exhibited at the Temuka Show – crochet, flowers, vegetables, berries, fruit. In March 1899, Mrs A. Webb forwarded to the Temuka Leader office “a large red tomato, which turns the scale at a little over 1 lb weight. The tomato is by no means a beauty, but appears like several strangely-shaped tomatoes joined together.” In mid-February 1905, Mrs A. Webb left at the Temuka Leader office “some excellent samples of vegetables grown by her at Temuka — red cabbage, parsnips, and carrots. Mrs Webb was very successful at the Temuka and Geraldine Horticultural Shows, and the exhibits left at our office are admirable ones.” Andrew Webb placed a notice in the Temuka Leader in November 1907 advising that he would not be responsible for his wife’s debts. Mr A. Webb, senior, was a member of the Temuka Volunteer Rifle Company and later a member of the Temuka Veterans’ Club. In November 1912, Andrew Webb transferred a section (1 acre) at Arowhenua to Helen Jane Webb. In mid-1916, an appeal was being made throughout New Zealand for funds in aid of the dependents of the men of the Royal Navy, who would lose their lives during the war. Andrew Webb, Temuka, subscribed 10 shillings. In 1918 Andrew Webb gave to the Prisoners of War appeal.

Along with his siblings, Alexander was educated at Temuka School. Perhaps he was the E. Webb in Preparatory III who received an award for attendance in 1895. The nine-year old son of Mr A. Webb, of Arowhenua, who had a nasty accident while on his way to school, in October 1896, was surely Alexander. He was playing about a tank, which was on the roadside, canted against a fence, and by some means the tank fell on to him, breaking his right thigh and bruising his right arm. He was progressing favourably, but it would be several weeks before the little fellow was all right again. Edward Webb who received a Standard II Attendance certificate in 1898 was surely Alexander Elder Edward Webb (known as Ted, and perhaps as Edward), his sister May receiving Standard I awards at the same time. E. Webb, 12-years old, and three other young lads were charged with stealing apples from an Arowhenua orchard in February 1901. “His Worship said the offence was looked upon as a venial one, but a good many people suffered through it.” The cases would be dealt with severely if brought before him again. At the Temuka District High School annual sports in November 1902, E. Webb fished second in the second heat of the Variety race (open) and first in the seventh heat of the Potato race. Perhaps he was into cycling and swimming in his teens.

Constable E. Webb was stationed in Dunedin when he spent his holidays with his relatives at Temuka in September 1911. Constable A. E. Webb again visited relatives at Temuka, having returned from New South Wales on 20 August 1913 and leaving for Dunedin on 22 August. Constable A. E. Webb, who had been stationed at Dunedin for nearly five years, resigned from the police force on 14 August 1914 for the purpose of joining the Expeditionary Force. Hs resignation was accepted ad he was prepared to leave as soon as he was required. Alexander Elder Webb enlisted on the outbreak of war, doing so on 17 August 1914 at Dunedin. His address was Police Station, Dunedin, he was a policeman. There, alongside him at Dunedin, was his Temuka childhood acquaintance – John Flaherty. Ted Webb belonged to the Reserve RNZA. Alexander Elder Edward Webb had attested for service in the Permanent Force with the Royal New Zealand Artillery on 5 June 1907 at Wellington. All was good at his medical examination. He was already a well-built young man. He was then farming at Timaru and had been discharged from the Timaru Rifles on leaving the district, having also served for 12 months with the Temuka Rifle Volunteers. His next-of-kin at the time was his mother. In December he was promoted from Probationer to Gunner. In March 1908 he was cautioned for Neglect of Duty – not having his bed made up for inspection. In April his leave was stopped for having a very dirty hamsack. Mid-1909 he was transferred to Lyttelton. Applying for employment in the Police Force in November 1909, he was discharged on 30 November at his own request, of very good character. A single man in 1914, he named his father as next-of-kin – Mr Andrew Webb, Temuka, South Canterbury. He stood at 6 feet 1 inch, weighed 162 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 37-39 inches. His complexion was fair, his eyes grey and his hair fair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed, and his teeth good. Free from diseases and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health.

The Otago Witness of 23 September 1914 printed a photo of Corporal A. Webb, Fifth Mounted Regiment, astride a horse – “Ex-constable, and only member of the New Zealand police with the Expeditionary Force.” Corporal A. E. Webb embarked with the Otago Mounted Rifles of the Main Body, departing from Port Chalmers for Suez, Egypt, on 16 October 1914, and disembarking at Alexandria on 4 December. After being admitted to No. 15 General Hospital at Alexandria on 10 May 1915 and transferred to the Convalescent Camp at Mustapha on 12 May, Alex re-joined his Unit at Alexandria on 18 May. He was transferred to Divisional Headquarters at Walkers Ridge on 17 July 1915. Taken to a Hospital Ship, sick, on 18 August at the Dardanelles, he embarked for England at Mudros on 19 August. But did he go to England? He disembarked at Malta from the Hospital Ship “Ascania” on 25 August 1915, slightly sick, and was admitted to the Military Hospital at Valletta. After convalescing at Alexandria, he embarked for Mudros per the Hospital Ship “Borus” on 15 November 1915. Not three weeks later he was admitted to hospital at Cairo – injury to shoulder. Discharged on 30 December, he was admitted on the same day to the NZ General Hospital at Cairo – alcoholism. He was discharged on 31 December and re-joined his Unit at Zeitoun on 21 January 1916. In October 1915, Mr and Mrs Flaherty of Cheviot, received a letter written from their son John at Valletta Hospital (Malta). He gives a very graphic account of his experiences at the Dardanelles. [See newspaper attachment.] In the letter, John mentions that Ted Webb from Temuka is there at Valletta, too, and that his brother (William Webb) had been killed. Corporal Webb was transferred from the Otago Mounted Rifles to the New Zealand Field Artillery, as Gunner, on 11 March 1916 at Moascar. On 4 April 1916 he embarked at Alexandria for France per Hospital Ship.

On 20 February 1917, in France, he was appointed Acting Sergeant, and on 21 February promoted to Sergeant. He relinquished his appointment of Acting Sergeant on 25 May 1917. Admitted to Casualty on 25 May 1917 (VD), he was transferred to No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station on 26 May, then transferred from hospital to No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on 27 May. It was until 12 July that he was discharged to No. 3 Rest Camp at Boulogne and a week later that he was attached to Strength at Base Depot at Etaples. Re-joining his Unit in the Field on 20 July 1917, he was classified ‘C’ by the N.Z.E.F. Travelling Medical Board on 27 July. Sergeant Webb marched out from France to England on 10 November 1917 and reported to the Discharge Depot at Torquay on 11 November 1917. He was classified unfit on 12 January 1918 in London.

For the second time in January 1918, Mrs Webb, Princes Street, Temuka, received word that a son, Sergeant A. E. E. Webb – one of three brothers of the Main Body - would return home early in February. Mr Webb, Princess Street, received the same advice. Sergeant A. E. E. Webb returned to New Zealand per the “Remuera”, embarking at Plymouth on 14 March 1918 and arriving on 9 May. His mate, John Flaherty, was on the same returning draft. A. E. E. Webb was discharged on 6 June 1918, no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on Active Service. He had given well over three years of service overseas in all theatres of war, and was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was granted sick leave from 10th to 16th May 1918, his address being Prince of Wales Hotel, Dunedin.

The Temuka Leader regular Active Service List – a list of those who have volunteered to serve the Empire with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and who have gone from the Temuka district – recorded on 6 January 1917 Corporal A. E. Webb, Otago Mounted Rifles. The same issue recorded Private W. W. Webb and Private G. Webb, Auckland Infantry. The supplementary issue of the same date recorded Private W. W. Webb under the Roll of Honour – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” On 31 October 1919 at the Dunedin Central Police Station, an impressive ceremony was performed when a roll of honour was unveiled, to commemorate the part which the New Zealand police had taken in the Great War of 1914-18. The first of 47 names of men who had served is A. E. E. Webb, one of the eight Otago men. Thirteen had made the supreme sacrifice. The memorial tablet was erected in honour of the gallant comrades of the police who had fought for freedom in the Great War. In the day of danger the Police Force did its duty, and the names on that roll would long be remembered with pride.

By 1920 Ted was with the Electrical Department of NZ Railways at Wellington. He married Ella Miller Mackellar in 1921. Alexander and Ella lived in Wellington. Alexander Elder Edward Webb died at Levin on 11 April 1972, aged 83 years. He was cremated at Karori, Wellington, and his ashes were interred in the cemetery there, the plot marked by a services plaque. Ella had died in 1969 and was cremated at Karori. The estate of Alexander Elder Edward Webb, formerly of Raumati South and late of Levin, retired civil servant, was administered by the Public Trustee. It consisted of Cash in possession - $32; Bank account - $6060; Personal effects - $20; Accrued Universal Superannuation - $10; Accrued War Veteran’s allowance - $10. He bequeathed $400 to his late wife’s godson and the residue of his estate to a friend at Waikanae.

In 1926, all was not well in the Webb household. In November 1919, an order had been made for Mr Andrew Webb to pay 15 shillings per month towards his wife’s maintenance. In May 1926, he was in arrears and applied for a variation of the maintenance order. He was 73 years old, was earning only £1 per week, and had been in failing health during the past few winters. He lived at home occasionally but was not going to do so any longer. He had paid sums of money to his wife but could not continue. His youngest son (Seddon), aged 26, lived at home with his mother and was able to support her. He had three sons in the Railway Department (Andrew, Alexander and Gordon?). Although it was alleged that a separation order was in existence, Mr and Mrs Webb had been living together. The magistrate said that the separation order had been broken and he thought that the sons should be communicated with. Come October 1926, and Helen Jane Webb made an application for maintenance order from her four sons – Seddon, L. R. S., H. G. J., and Alexander Webb. Seddon who appeared in court, was a widower with one child, and said that he was not prepared to contribute towards his mother’s maintenance. Mrs Webb said that she was 67 years of age and had no money whatsoever. She owned a house and section; she received a pension which had been cancelled because they were not legally separated and 5 shilling per week from her husband. Seddon had been living with her until very recently. She kept his child in clothes and shoes, but he made no regular payments. Seddon asked his mother what she did with the money in the Post Office – “You drew it out and planted it, as you thought you would be shrewd.” In the end, each son was ordered to pay 5 shillings per week towards their mother’s maintenance, starting from 19 October.

Mrs Helen Jane Webb, one of South Canterbury’s oldest identities and the oldest pupil at the Milford School, died at her home (Princes Street, Temuka) in October 1938. She was survived by her husband, five sons (one having been killed in the Great War) and four daughters. Mr Andrew Webb, one of the oldest settlers in the Temuka district, died at the Timaru Hospital in January 1939. He, too, was survived by five sons (William having died in the Great War) and four daughters. All six sons of Andrew and Helen Jane Webb signed up for service in World War One. The eldest, Andrew Webb, had served in the South Africa War and was ruled out of further service on medical grounds; the second son, William Winnett Webb, was killed in action in 1915 at Gallipoli – “the eldest of the three brothers with the Main Body, sons of Mrs Webb, senr., Temuka”; the third son, Alexander Elder Edward Webb (Ted), served with the Otago Mounted Rifles; the fourth son, Henry Gordon John Webb (Gordon), was invalided home in 1916; the fifth son, Leslie Robert Sydney Webb, enlisted but saw no overseas service; and the youngest son, Seddon David Waddell Webb, served with the Otago Infantry Regiment and returned home invalided. Three cousins of the Webb brothers also served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One – Alexander Marshall whose death in 1961 was attributable to his service with the Forces, David Waddel and Edwin Waddel.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [26 October 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand ref. AABK 18805 W5557 0120099) [15 January 2016]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [2013]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [2013]; Karori Crematorium & Cemetery records & headstone image (Wellington City Council) [20 April 2014]; Temuka Leader, 12 April 1887, 12 & 17 December 1889, 21 December 1895, 27 October 1896, 17 December 1898, 14 March 1899, 21 February 1901, 22 November 1902, 16 February 1905, 5 September 1911, 31 Aug 1913, 16 November 1912, 6 January 1917, 2 June 1917, 19 January 1918, 22 June 1918, 14 October 1926, Otago Witness, 23 September 1914, Otago Daily Times, 25 September 1914, 15 August 1915, NZ Times, 11 September 1915, Dominion, 11 September 1915, 3 December 1915, Lyttelton Times, 27 October 1915, Evening Post, 3 December 1915, Timaru Herald, 24 June 1916, 12 May 1926, 23 June 1926, 14 October 1926, 4 October 1938; 16 Jan 1939 [x 2], 17 Jan 1939, 19 Jan 1939, Press, 21 January 1918, 5 October 1938, Sun, 16 April 1918, Evening Star, 1 November 1919 (Papers Past) [09 April 2023; 16 May 2023; 14, 16, 19, 20 & 21 June 2023; 12 July 2023]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [16 June 2023; 06 July 2023]; Probate record (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 0307/72) [21 June 2023]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WEBB Alexander Elder Edward - newspaper clippings (pdf, 333.3 KB updated 26-Jul-2023)

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