Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Oswald Webber, known as Oswald, was the second son of the family of Edmund and Caroline Charlotte (née Birchall) Webber. He was born on 28 October 1884 at Invercargill. Edmund and Caroline who married in 1873, had three daughters followed by four sons. Sadly, only three lived to adulthood. Frances Eleanor Webber died in 1876, aged 1 year; Edmund Rupert in 1881 at 7 weeks; Alfred Reginald in 1888 at 6 months; Constance Leonora, the first-born, died in 1890, aged 11 years. Edmund Webber was a schoolteacher who was employed at some country schools before settling at Invercargill and teaching at Invercargill South School where he was the headmaster for many years from 1883, including the time when his children were pupils there. John was educated at Invercargill South School and at Southland Boys’ High School. He received a Standard IV garden prize at Invercargill South School in December 1895. The following year he was rewarded for second place in Standard V composition. At the Invercargill South School distribution of prizes in December 1897, he received the Standard VII mapping prize and a first-class attendance certificate. Oswald Webber, Invercargill South School, gained 69% in the 1897 Scholarship examinations offered by the Southland Education Board. In January 1899 he was offered and accepted a free education scholarship for two years. J. Oswald Webber was groomsman when his sister Kate married in October 1903 at St John’s Anglican Church, Invercargill. Among the successful candidates at the Board of Education South Kensington exams held at Invercargill in July 1905, was John O. Webber who gained a second-class pass in Freehand drawing in outline.

John followed his father into the teaching profession. He was of New Plymouth in January 1907 when he gained one subject pass in Class C of the Teachers Certificate Examinations, and again in January 1909 when he gained two subject passes in Class D of the Teachers Certificate Examinations. He came into the Auckland district in January 1908 when he passed for Class C. In April 1905 he was appointed to an acting position for seven months at Seaward Moss School in Southland. At the November 1906 meeting of the Southland Education Board, John O. Webber was appointed temporary fourth assistant at Invercargill Middle School. In early 1907, he consented to act as instructor of drawing at Gore. Trooper Webber competed with the Southland Rifle Association in an Invercargill match in November 1907, winning a prize. John Oswald Webber married Ethel May Pritchard on 14 April 1909 at St Mary’s, New Plymouth. A son, Edmund Godfrey Webber (Ted), was born to Oswald and Ethel at Milford, Temuka on 14 March 1910. Then followed John Gerard Webber (Jack) born on 15 November 1911 at Drummond and Joan Walmsley on 11 August 1914 at Drumond. Post war there would be three additions to the family – Neville Pritchard on 29 September 1919 at Drummond, Marian Ethel in 1924 and Nancy in 1926.

At a special meeting of the Milford School Committee (South Canterbury) on 20 April 1909, the business was to select a headmaster from the four names forwarded by the Board of Education. “After a careful and prolonged consideration, it was unanimously resolved that Mr J. Oswald Webber, of Invercargill Middle School, be selected as the candidate most suitable for Milford School. It is hoped that Mr Webber will be able to take charge of the school without undue delay.” At the next meeting of the South Canterbury Education Board, the appointment was confirmed. “Mr J. Oswald Webber, on resigning his position on the staff of the Middle School in order to assume the headmastership of a school in South Canterbury, was presented by his pupils on Thursday afternoon with some choice silverware as a token of their affection and esteem. The head teacher, Mr Mehaffey, in making the presentation, expressed high approval of the work Mr Webber had done, and assurance that he would be successful in his new sphere of labour.” [Southland Times. 29 May 1909.] In February 1910, John O. Webber gained a partial pass for his Class C certificate. In July 1910 he was promoted to a higher grade of teaching certificate – D3.

O. Webber’s name appeared among the competitors for a golf trophy at Temuka in July 1910. Mr Webber also participated in miniature rifle shooting with the Citizens Miniature Rifle Club at Temuka, enjoying success in trophy competitions. On 27 May 1911, John Oswald Webber (school master) was specially recommended as a fit and proper person to fill a vacancy as Territorial Officer in the 8th South Canterbury Mounted Rifles. As well as holding a Sergeant’s certificate, he had given 7 years efficient service in the Southland Mounted Rifles, 2 years in command of Middle School Junior Cadets and 2 years in Southland High School Cadets. Come mid-August 1911 and Mr J. Oswald Webber, headmaster of the Milford School, resigned his position there, having been appointed head teacher to a larger school in the Southland district, namely Drummond School. A large number of friends, parents, and the pupils of the school assembled at the Milford School to bid good-bye to Mr and Mrs Webber. During Mr Webber’s stay “he had gained the esteem and respect of both parents and scholars and had always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the school. He had been very successful as a teacher, . . . . . Mr Webber had established very creditable school gardens and had also formed a cadet detachment, . . . . . .” The scholars presented Mrs Webber with a pretty silver and pearl butter cooler and knife, and Mr Webber with a handsome oak and silver ink stand suitably inscribed. After cheers were given for Mr and Mrs and Master Webber, all rose and sang ‘‘For they are Jolly Good Fellows”. Mr Webber’s resignation from the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles, dated 24 August 1911 was held over, with a view to his being transferred to the 7th Regiment (Southland) Mounted Rifles instead of resigning his Commission. Notification had been received that there would shortly be a vacancy for him. In effect, he tendered his resignation on 11 September 1911. The transfer was recommended in January 1912 and was gazetted on 29 February 1912.

He was fined 10 shillings in the Magistrate’s Court (Invercargill) for driving a vehicle on the North Road without a light on the night of 15 September 1912.

Mr J. Oswald Webber, of the Drummond school, advised that on the morning of the 28 March 1913 his rain gauge showed a fall of 2.58 inches for the preceding twelve hours and that by 3.30 p.m. on the same day another .91 inches had fallen, making a fall of over 3½ inches for about 18 hours. Examined for the rank of Lieutenant on 5 September 1912, 2nd Lieutenant J. O. Webber was notified of success on 6 January 1913. Concerning Territorials, Second Lieutenant J. O. Webber, 7th Mounted Regiment, qualified by examination in subject C, in March 1913. It was announced in February 1914, in connection with the Defence Forces in the Southland district, that John Oswald Webber of the Seventh (Southland) Mounted Rifles was to be lieutenant, dated May 1, 1913. On Xmas Day 1914, Mr J. O. Webber, teacher, Drummond, sustained a painful accident while visiting a neighbouring farmer. “A young horse being let out of the stable struck out with a foreleg and caught Mr Webber on the face, inflicting a wound necessitating several stitches. Fortunately, Mr Webber did not get the full weight of the blow, and the wound is rapidly healing.” In January 1915, Mr J. Oswald Webber (Drummond) subscribed 10 shillings to the Belgian Relief Fund and a similar amount to the British Relief Fund. Later in the month, Lieutenant Webber assisted at a camp for A and D Squadrons of the 7th Mounted Regiment, the focus being musketry. Lieutenant Webber assisted at the Mounted Rifle Camp in late January 1916, when musketry instruction, squadron drill and a day at the rifle range were held. He wrote thanking the Southland A. and P. Association for the use of their grounds and facilities for the camp. He was then granted leave for one week to attend military camp, by the Southland Education Board. In July 1915 he had been appointed secretary of a committee formed at Drummond to work in the interests of the Country Queen for the forthcoming Queen Carnival. Lieutenant J. O. Webber, 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles, qualified by examination for the rank of captain in November 1915.

Lieut. J. Oswald Webber (The Schoolhouse, Drummond) wrote to the Minister for Defence on 7 February 1916. “. . . .married Lieutenants, especially those with children, are under a disadvantage compared with their single brother officers, presuming that in neither case is there any additional income. . . . . The man leaving a wife and several children must . . . . . , thus leaving a quite inadequate balance for him to maintain his position. . . . . .” He was seeking an answer to the perceived imbalance. The answer received referred to a separation allowance which did not apply to his rank. His question was, however, reconsidered, but his suggestion was not adopted. The pay and additional field allowance paid to officers “is generally found ample”. Another letter from Webber, dated 29 February 1916, clarified that he was seeking an allowance only for married lieutenants with children. “. . . . the man who has a family to maintain, & who is making a vastly greater sacrifice, has so little to spare that both he & his wife & family have a struggle to make the cash ‘spin out’. . . . .” As of mid-March 1916, Lieutenant J. O. Webber, of the Territorials (A Squadron) had been waiting for three months to be called up, though he was a married man with a wife and three children to provide for. Meanwhile, on 21 March he was elected to the newly formed Drummond branch of the War Funds Association. Before the end of March, the Southland Education Board had granted Lieutenant Webber, head teacher at the Drummond School, leave of absence, as he had been accepted for service with the Expeditionary Forces. There were questions over his pay – would he receive an allowance additional to his present pay with the Education Board? He would receive 12 shillings a day in the Expeditionary Force with 3 shillings a day Field Allowance. He proposed to allot 10 shillings a day for his wife and three children. “They are residing in a small country town where there are no high rents and where living would be comparatively cheap. £3.10.0 per week should be sufficient for ordinary purposes.” In mid-June 1916, Mr J. O. Webber sent a letter from the Drummond branch urging the Council of the Southland War Funds Association to take up the matter of rolls of honour for Southland. And in October 1916, on behalf of “D” Company, 20th Reinforcements, he applied to the committee for a grant to enable the company to procure a set of bagpipes. It was resolved to contribute £7 10s.

As of 20 June 1916, Lieutenant J. O. Webber had been in charge of A. Squadron, 7th Mounted Rifles for the last eighteen months, and had offered his services to the Defence authorities back in February. He had now received orders to report at Trentham on 27th June and would be attached to the 20th Reinforcements (Infantry), having agreed to transfer from Mounteds as no further Mounted Rifle Officers were required this year. Lieutenant Webber’s only brother was already at the front (France), Sergeant Webber, of the 6th Canterbury Reinforcements. “Mr Webber’s example is a noteworthy one as he leaves a good position as headmaster of the Drummond school, and a wife and three children behind.” “Prior to his departure from Drummond, Lieut. J. O. Webber was met by a number of the residents and presented with a valuable watch and a purse of sovereigns. The presentation was made by Mr R. Hallum, who m a few well chosen words eulogised the step Lieut. Webber was taking m proceeding to the front. The recipient suitably responded.” A more effusive report appeared in the Southland Times - Our Drummond correspondent writes: For some considerable time Mr J. O. Webber, headmaster, Drummond, has been anxious to get away to the front, but for various reasons has not been able to do so. He is now going with the 20th Reinforcements and proceeds to Trentham at once for special training. As he was to hold himself in readiness to move at the very shortest notice, and the notice was so brief when it did come, Drummond people did not have an opportunity of giving Lieutenant Webber a send-off befitting his loyalty and patriotism, and the general interest he has shown, and the efforts he has made in every movement in the Empire’s cause. Those who had been associated with him, and best knew how devotedly he had worked to promote and carry out all the schemes undertaken, were resolved he would not leave, though hurriedly, without in some way or other being assured of their recognition of his many services, gratuitously and willingly rendered. The result was a very pleasant social and presentation, with songs and recitations, etc., and brief but pointed addresses expressive of esteem for Mr and Mrs Webber personally, congratulating him on his patriotism in leaving behind him Mrs Webber and a family of young children in the cause for which he has volunteered, and expressing the hope of seeing him safely return loaded with honours. A very pleasant evening closed with the “National Anthem,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “They are Jolly Good Fellows.”

At last, after repeated efforts John Oswald Webber would manage to get away. Lieutenant Webber was among the officers who reported at Trentham for duty and were posted to the 20th Infantry Reinforcements. John Oswald Webber attested on 28 June 1916 at Trentham. He had already served with Southland Mounted Rifles from 1902 to 1909, then until 27 May 1911 with the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles, appointed 2nd Lieutenant; and was still serving as 2nd Lieutenant with the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles, appointed Lieutenant on 1 May 1913, then Captain on 11 October 1916. A school master at Drummond and of Church of England affiliation, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs J. O. Webber, Wellington Street, Trafalgar, Invercargill. He had been medical examined on 3 March 1916 at Invercargill. Standing at 5 feet 5½ inches, weighing 193 pounds, and with a chest measurement of 33-37 inches, he had a fresh complexion, blue grey eyes and brown hair. Although his sight was slightly defective, his hearing and colour vision were both good, his limbs and chest were well formed, and his heart and lungs were normal. He had had one attack of appendicitis 11 years before but no recurrence. He was free from diseases and in good bodily and mental health.

In August 1916 he was allocated to D Company of the 20th Reinforcements. After being granted the rank of Captain with seniority with the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles on 11 October 1916, he was appointed to the 1st N.Z.E.F. (Infantry) with the rank of Lieutenant on 6 December 1916. Mr Edmund Webber wrote from The School, Ophir, Central Otago, on 27 November 1916, advising that he and his wife would be arriving in Wellington on 12 December and asking would they be in time to farewell him. He had been unable to leave his school in October when his son was on final leave, which was spent with his wife and family in Invercargill. He was assured that he would be in ample time to see his son before he left. Lieutenant J. O. Webber embarked with the Headquarters Staff, Ships Quartermasters of the 20th Reinforcements, leaving from Wellington per the “Athenic” on 30 December 1916 and disembarking at Devonport, England on 3 March 1917. He was taken on Strength on at Sling on 7 March and posted to the Otago Infantry Battalion. N.Z.E.F. orders noted that he had been taken on strength with seniority from 6 December 1916.

Having proceeded overseas to France from Sling on 2 May 1917, he arrived at Headquarters from Base two weeks later and joined his Battalion in the Field shortly after. On 15 June 1917 he was detailed to the New Zealand Divisional Reinforcements Camp and marched out to school, rejoining his Battalion on 24 June. Lieutenant Webber was to be Captain to complete Establishment from 17 September 1917. He was admitted to No. 7 General Hospital at St Omer, sick, on 22 October 1917. Struck off the Strength of his Unit – sick – on 5 November 1917, he was transferred to England per Hospital Ship “Princess Elizabeth” on 6 November and admitted to The Prince of Wales Hospital at Marylebone, London the next day. His was reported as not a severe case. Progressing favourably, he was transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent Home at Brighton on 13 December, then proceeded on leave. Struck off the strength of Headquarters, London on 8 January 1918, he was again attached to strength at Sling on 22 January 1918, and was to be Company Commander of 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Otago Regiment from that date. On 27 March 1918, with the rank of Major, he was detailed to attend a Bomb School, then on 22 May 1918 he relinquished the appointment of Company Commander. It was on 28 March 1918, while with the 3rd Battalion Otago Regiment, that No. 19211 Capt. J. Oswald Webber advised that his Will was deposited at Invercargill. On 25 July he marched out from Sling to Torquay where he was taken on strength and posted to No. 2 Company.

Medically boarded and found fit for Active Service, he returned to New Zealand per the “Paparoa” (Draft 176), embarking at Plymouth on 8 August 1918 and disembarking on 8 October. After reporting to the Adjutant General, he was granted privilege leave from 9 October 1918 to 29 October 1918 and a Railway pass. Captain Webber, formerly headmaster at the Milford School, was remembered by the South Canterbury folk when he passed through on his way home on 9 October. After welcoming five soldiers at Temuka, Mr Gunnion (chairman of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee) announced that among the soldiers who had passed through in the train was Mr Webber, a former teacher locally. Captain J. Oswald Webber wrote from Invercargill to the Adjutant General, N.Z. Forces on 12 October 1918 – “With reference to my discharge . . . . On receiving notice that I was to leave for N.Z. I had an interview . . . . in London on 26/7/18, at which he stated to me that in consideration of my general good character & previous reports he would send a recommendation to H.Q. in N.Z. recommending that, if possible, I should be employed on Transport duty from N.Z., or on some N.Z. duty. On reporting a H.Q. on 8/10/18 . . . . . stated that no such letter had been received from . . . . .” He requested a cable be sent to London (at his expense). “My previous employers (Southland Education Board) are at present unable to supply me with a suitable billet & if possible I should prefer a position as above referred to. I feel sure that you will have no reason to regret your action if you can see your way to so appoint me. I have a wife & three children & as my leave expires on 29th inst. I must obtain employment immediately, if you cannot extend my leave. . . . . .”

A coded telegram which was received from London on 17 October 1918 (in response to a cable sent) suggested that Captain J. O. Webber was not suited for command in the field but deserved consideration for appointment as Quartermaster on Transport, if any vacancy. On 19 October Webber was asked to pay the sum of £.6.4. into Public Account Bank of New Zealand. He duly paid said amount, which was the cost of the cable sent at his request, adding “As no mention is made of an appointment I presume that it is not intended to make use of me for Transport duty.” On 23 October Webber sent a reply-paid telegram to Wellington – “Can you extend date of discharge to 13th Novr my position not open till then”; the reply – “Regretted date cannot be amended”. Captain J. O. Webber was discharged, being struck off the Strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force with effect from 29 October 1918, and was transferred to the Territorial Force (7th Southland Mounted Rifles) with the rank of Captain. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He was posted to the Territorial Force on 11 November 1919. A school master back at Drummond, Capt. Webber signalled on 11 December 1919 that he desired to continue service in the New Zealand Military Forces. He had served with the 2nd Battalion Otago Regiment in France and the 3rd (Res) Battalion Otago Regiment in England. As well, he had served with the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles and the 8th (South Canterbury) Mounted Rifles. At the Drummond School break up on 18 December 1919, Mr Webber (headmaster) addressed the children and presented the prizes. Among the prize recipients were his sons Edmund and Jack. On 23 July 1920, the Southland Education Board appointed J. O. Webber as head teacher at Makarewa School. Charged with motoring on the wrong side of the street, John Oswald Webber was convicted in the Magistrate’s Court on 15 December 1920 and ordered to pay 12 shillings. After serving again with the 7th (Southland) Mounted Rifles from 1918 to 1921, he transferred to the 5th N.Z. Mounted Rifles (Otago Hussars) until 1923, as Captain. When John Oswald Webber attested at Dunedin on 20 July 1922 for service with the Territorial Force within New Zealand, he named his father as next-of-kin – Edmund Webber, Ophir, Otago Central. He had previously attested (for Active Service) at Trentham on 26 June 1916 and at Invercargill in 1902 (on joining the Southland Mounted Rifles). In his past service in the New Zealand Military Forces, he was “efficient for years 1899 – 1922.” An application for a N.Z. Long and Efficient Service Medal was made on 7 March 1922, acknowledgement of receipt of same made on 21 April, by which time the Webber was at Makarewa. On 27 September 1923 he requested a transfer to the 6th N.Z. (Mounted Rifles Manawatu), on account of a change of residence to Bunnythorpe School. The transfer took effect on 21 November. Two of his children had transferred from Makarewa to Bunnythorpe School in June 1923.

Captain J. O. Webber qualified in the examination held in September 1928 for promotion to the rank of Major, having failed the examination in May 1928 but partially qualified in September 1927 (tactical exercise). Granted the rank of Major on 14 February 1930, he was transferred from the Manawatu Mounted Rifles to Queen Alexandra’s (W.W.C.) Rifles some eleven days later. This transfer was brought about by his employment move from Bunnythorpe to Durie Hill, Wanganui. At Wanganui on 22 April 1929, John Oswald Webber signed acknowledgement that he had received a Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long-Service Medal. The award had been approved on 9 March 1929. On 9 July 1930, he signed acknowledgement that he had received a Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration for long service in the forces. The award had been approved on 5 June 1930, while he was still serving with the Q.A. (W.W.C.) M.R., although it had been recommended in February that he be transferred to the Reserve of Officers.

At a meeting of the Rangiora Borough School Committee on 7 June 1937, Mr J. O. Webber, headmaster of the Oxford District High School, was appointed headmaster of the Rangiora Borough School. It was reported that Mr and Mrs Webber would be missed by a large circle of friends at Oxford. At the same time Mr Webber was elected treasurer of the local branch of the Educational Institute. Oswald Webber was at Rangiora School when, in December 1938, he proposed the introduction of a life-saving competition into the local primary schools. He was elected to the committee of the Rangiora Amateur Swimming Club. J. O. Webber (Major) wrote from his Rangiora address on 20 May 1940, offering “his services for some appropriate duty, in the hope that I may be of some military use to the country in the present juncture. . . . . Trusting that there may be some suitable job for me, . . . .”

John Oswald Webber enlisted again for service in World War Two – Home Defence with the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment - on 8 or 11 or 29 October 1940, this time at Christchurch. He was a school master employed by the Canterbury Education Board, 55 years old, married, and residing at 41 Ayers Street, Rangiora as was his next-of-kin, his wife Mrs J. O. Webber. His sight was not good and he had had an operation for piles in 1925. He had served with the 2nd Otago N.Z.E.F. and for 30 years with the Southland Mounted Rifles (Territorial Service). Serving with the Territorial Force, he was not mobilized. He had gone into camp with the 2 Canterbury Regiment at Wingatui on 6 April 1938. Major J. O. Webber, Queen Alexandra’s (Wellington West Coast) Mounted Rifles, was posted to the Retired List, with permission to retain his rank and wear the prescribed uniform, on 11 October 1939. He was then resident at Rangiora. As of 7 October 1940, he was a Temporary Captain with the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment. He had applied for transfer from the Reserve List as he desired to serve on the Active List. He marched into Addington Camp with the Mounted Rifles on 11 October 1940, to be medically boarded as soon as possible for fitness for Home Service. He had written from his Rangiora address on 5 October – “As you may also require senior officers I beg to offer my services; though I am 55 I am pretty fit and think I would pass the medical test. . . . . . Though I have not served actively since 1930, for the last few months I have been running a voluntary platoon of upwards of 40 Rd. Soldiers in the hopes of the formation of a Res. Unit in this district.” From 28 October 1940 he was to live in Camp. He had concluded a qualifying course at the District School (Addington Wing) for appointment as an Officer in the 2nd Bn., Canterbury Regt. Having marched out on leave on 21 December 1940, he returned to Wingatui on 31 March 1941. Doubts were expressed on his suitability for the Active List, probably on account of his age, and the retention of his services was apparently not desired. On his release from the Active List, Major Webber was transferred to the Reserve of Officers, Supplementary List, with the rank of Major, which rank he held in the Territorial Force (Queen Alexandra’s W.W.C.M.R.). This application made by him on 16 August 1941, was confirmed on 20 January 1942. The Reserve of Officers Supplementary List “was merely a holding List to which officers were posted pending their final disposal. The List now serves no useful purpose and is to be cleared, . . . . .” He was posted to the Retired List, with the rank of Major, on 17 April 1953. “An officer on the Retired List, although he retains his commission, will have no further active connection with the Army, and will not be subject to military law.”

Appointed headmaster of the Main School, Gore, Webber and his family moved there on 11 May 1942. He was hoping that some use would be made of his military services in that district. Major (later Capt.) J. O. Webber wrote from Gore to the General Staff Officer at Christchurch in July 1944, seeking information on his position with regard to the Military Forces. When he had left Canterbury, he was under the impression that he was being transferred to the Reserve of Officers but had heard nothing since. He also wanted to know whether he could “dispose of, or convert to civilian use, the whole or part of my uniform.” He had been transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 20 January 1942. No training was prescribed for officers at that time (1944), “and is most unlikely in your case on account of your age.” The uniform was his personal property, but he was advised to retain for any military occasion. J. O. Webber wrote to the Director of Base Records from his Gore address on 9 August 1948 – “I have noticed a statement in the papers to the effect that many war gratuities have not been claimed. I put in a claim on account of W. Service from the beginning of Oct. 1940 to end of April 1941, but received advice that nothing was payable for that period. As the sum was not large (£6) I didn’t query the matter, but have since heard of others being paid for somewhat similar service. As I am now superannuated the sum would be very acceptables, so I am enquiring in case of there having been any mistake. When I rejoined in Oct. 1940 I was on the Reserve of Os. as Major but accepted a commission as Capt.

So command[ed] a company of the 2/Cant. Bn. (I might say that to do this meant sacrificing approx. £50 of income). At the conclusion of the training of the Bn. In April 1941 I was returned to the Reserve. It seems very unfair to me that I should be deprived of this comparatively small sum, when I actually carried out the service in war-time.” The reply to Mr Webber was so very brief – “. . . . , I have to confirm the advice conveyed to you on the 31st of May, 1946, that the whole of your service with the 2nd Canterbury Regiment was classed as non mobilised for which a gratuity is not payable.” Webber had, indeed, applied for War Service Gratuity February 1945. In April 1950, Oswald claimed for the War Medal 1939-45 and the N.Z. War Service Medal (3/9/39 to 2/9/45).

Mr and Mrs Webber had moved to Christchurch in the mid-1950s. In 1959 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. John Oswald Webber’s life was particularly notable in two spheres. His teaching career spanned many schools, most as headmaster - Seaward Downs (Southland), Invercargill Middle, Milford (South Canterbury), Drummond and Makarewa (Southland), Bunnythorpe (Manawatu), Drurie Hill (Wanganui), Oxford District High School, Rangiora Borough, Spreydon West (Christchurch) and Gore Main. His military service also spanned many fields, often in ranks of responsibility. Wherever Mr and Mrs Webber lived, they became valued community residents. John Oswald Webber died at Christchurch on 14 May 1962, aged 77 years, after a long illness, and was buried privately at Waimairi Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters, also his sister Kate and brother Cecil (Timaru). Ethel May died on 8 April 1972 at the Tawa residence of her eldest daughter and was buried at Porirua Cemetery, her name inscribed on the headstone at Waimairi.

Cecil Warren Webber, a younger brother of John, also served in World War One. Two cousins who were also born in New Zealand, to Edmund’s youngest brother Alfred Septimus Webber and his wife Emily, lost their lives in the war – Alleyne Gordon Webber, who served with the New Zealand Forces, was killed in action on 6 August 1915 at Gallipoli, and Gerard Kingsley Webber, who served with the Royal Fusiliers, died in Manchester, England, on 2 February 1917 of wounds received in action in France. The three sons of John Oswald and Ethel May Webber – Edmund Godfrey Webber, John Gerard Webber and Nevile Pritchard – served in World War Two.

Mr Edmund Webber, who had landed at Caroline Bay in a surf boat when he came to New Zealand in 1867, was a cadet at a South canterbury station before going to Dunedin and embarking on a lengthy teaching career. Highly respected in his chosen profession, he retired in 1913. After retirement Mr and Mrs lived briefly in Dunedin before moving to Ophir in Central Otago, to help at the school, there being an acute shortage of teachers during the war. It was at Ophir that Caroline Webber died on 19 April 1923. She was buried in the local Blacks Cemetery. After her death, Edmund moved to Timaru, residing initially with Cecil and Ivy. He died suddenly at Timaru on 13 August 1938 and was buried there.

An interesting ceremony took place at Invercargill’s South School in August 1916, when a roll of honour was unveiled in the presence of a deeply interested gathering of parents and other relatives of men at the front. The roll “bore the names of 218 ex-pupils of the school who responded to the call of King and Country, with a number still to be added, to say nothing of those who may have enlisted elsewhere.” The school drum and fife band played several selections in the course of the afternoon, one, appropriately enough, being “The Heroes.” “The memories of the old boys who had volunteered for duty would be revered for generations to come, . . . . . Not only had they shown courage and bravery, but they had also shown that they were possessed of great initiative.” Seventeen had already made the supreme sacrifice. The gathering closed with the playing by the band of the National Anthem. The roll of honour contained scores of names, among them O. Webber and C. Webber.

At the conclusion of the teachers’ annual conference on 1 April 1922 a Roll of Honour, erected in honour of the members of the teaching profession in Southland who served in the Great War ,was unveiled. The Roll of Honour, which was placed in the meeting room of the Teachers’ Institute in the Southland Education Board’s Office, had inscribed on it the names of those ten who lost their lives, followed by the names of a great number (about 39) who returned, including J. Oswald Webber. The memorial was unveiled by Mr J. C. Thomson, who represented the Southland Education Board. In the course of an eloquent address, Mr Thomson paid a tribute to the cheerful spirit in which the teachers had responded to the call of Empire and stated that none had answered more readily and cheerfully than members of the teaching profession. “By the unveiling of the tablet and by the sentiments expressed they had showed, that while the Great War had become a matter of yesterday, the memory still enshrined all that was held most dear in the characters of those that had died that others might enjoy peace and freedom.” After the Roll of Honour had been unveiled those present joined in singing “The Recessional.” The ceremony concluded with the sounding of the Last Post and the singing of the National Anthem.

A photograph of J. O. Webber was printed in the Press of 13 October 1932 when he was appointed headmaster of Oxford District High School. [See attachment.]

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [08 January 2015; 22 May 2024]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 0120242) [23 May 2024]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 0365059) [24 May 2024]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [08 January 2015]; Southland Times, 20 December 1893, 20 December 1895, 17 December 1896, 20 & 24 December 1897, 31 January 1899, 8 April 1905, 18 December 1905, 10 & 15 November 1906, 2 February 1907, 17 April 1909, 29 May 1909, 31 March 1910, 2 September 1911, 19 September 1912, 1 April 1913, 4 November 1913, 14 February 1914, 21, 25, 29 & 30 January 1915, 29 July 1915, 22 November 1915, 1 & 2 February 1916, 14, 23 & 25 March 1916, 16 & 28 June 1916, 17 August 1916, 28 October 1916, 16 November 1916, 23 November 1917, 19 September 1918, 5 October 1918, 1 October 1919, 30 December 1919, 24 July 1920, 16 December 1920, 3 & 6 April 1922, 18 May 1926, 13 March 1942, 3 April 1944, Otago Witness, 21 October 1903, 7 November 1906, 23 August 1911, 6 September 1911, 19 July 1916, 24 April 1923, New Zealand Mail, 27 February 1907, New Zealand Herald, 24 February 1908, Dominion, 22 February 1909, 30 June 1916, Timaru Herald, 22 & 28 April 1909, 2 March 1910, 7 July 1910, 23 August 1911, 10 October 1918, 15 & 16 August 1938, Temuka Leader, 22 April 1909, 1 May 1909, 9 & 12 July 1910, 8, 12, 17 & 24 August 1911, 7 September 1911 [x 2], 10 October 1918, Evening Star, 1 April 1913, 24 February 1914, 20 November 1915, Otautau Standard, 5 January 1915, 28 March 1916, 20 & 27 June 1916, Western Star, 28 March 1916, Evening Post, 29 June 1916, 8 December 1916, 22 November 1917, Southern Cross, 19 August 1916, NZ Times, 3 November 1916, Mataura Ensign, 24 July 1920, Press, 8 & 12 June 1937, 16 August 1938, 2 December 1938, 19 April 1959, 15 & 17 May 1962, 10 April 1972 (Papers Past) [21, 22, 25 & 29 May 2024; 02 June 2024]; Waimairi Cemetery headstone transcription [22 May 2024]; Waimairi Cemetery burial record (Christchurch City Council) [22 May 2024]; School Admission records [22 & 25 May 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [26 May 2024]; Porirua Cemetery burial record (Porirua City Council) [02 June 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• WEBBER John Oswald - newspaper clippings (pdf, 537.3 KB updated 25-Oct-2024)

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