Webster Douglas Gordon Lieut

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Surname: Webster;

Forename(s): Douglas Gordon;

Initials: DG;

Rank: Lieut;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 41 Bn;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 123 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 41 Bn;

How killed: KIA;

Where: Belgium;

When killed: 29-Sep-1918;

Awarded: MC;

Gallantry Notes: MC: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He kept his guns in action under heavy shell and rifle fire until forced to leave by enemy bombers at close range. Later he gave great assistance to troops defending a village and was instrumental in checking the enemy's advance. He set a fine example of courage and determination.;

Other Data: joined 123 Coy 27/9/1916 - war diary
See article about 123 Coy, Emma Gee, Summer 2003, p 41
with 41 Bn Aug 1918 - War Diary
WO339/48576 - letter from CO (Arthur Chalmers) - was killed during advance. Was 200 yards in advance of infantry with 2 guns and shot thro' the neck and killed instantaneously whilst directing fire. Buried where he fell.
Will: 188/0/11d -

MC, BWM, VIC offered DNW Sept '17:
A Great War M.C. awarded to Lieutenant D. G. Webster, Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 29 September 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. D. G. Webster) light pitting to Cross, good very fine (3) £500-600
Footnote
M.C. London Gazette 24 September 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. He kept his guns in action under heavy shell and rifle fire until forced to leave by enemy bombers at close range. Later, he gave great assistance to troops defending a village, and was instrumental in checking the enemy’s advance. He set a fine example of courage and determination.’

Douglas Gordon Webster was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment on 16 November 1915, and served during the Great War with the 21st Battalion Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 September 1918. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Note: A Lieutenant Douglas Griffiths Williams Webster, Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Infantry, was also awarded the Military Cross during the Great War (London Gazette 2 December 1918).;

Other Notes: WEBSTER, Lieutenant, DOUGLAS GORDON, MC, 21st Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 29th September 1918. Age 26. Son of Mrs. Ellen Webster, of Brecon; husband of Mrs. Edith Elizabeth Webster, of King's House, Caerleon, Newport, Mon. Panel 154 to 159 and 163A. Tyne Cot Memorial - Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
MC: LG 24/9/1918 NB: Killed serving with 41 Bn not 21 Bn (War Diary);

END OF RECORD.

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