Written on 9 May 1918 by C.E. Prebble, second lieutenant of the Middlesex Regiment and transferred to the 2nd Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), Lieutenant Prebble writes to Private Webb’s wife to inform her that her husband is believed to have gone missing on 24 April [1918]. The letter cannot be linked to a grave at Tyne Cot, but the regiment was active in the area.
It is likely that the letter was lost during a visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery, presumably during a battlefield trip. The museum team believes that someone is missing this letter, as such documents often have great emotional value for relatives.
I’m going to guess someone has already checked this but the one line of the letter looks to say Pvt Webb S. So perhaps first initial S.
Another “matching” fact is the register of effects show 1) he was married and 2) he was “presumed” dead on that date — which I take.to mean no body/he was missing.
Edit: a few more perhaps pertinent facts. He had 3 children, so very possible he has surviving ancestors today. Second his pension card also notes his wife was notified he was missing in mid May 1918, so that could match up with this letter.
Edit2: think I might have just about convinced myself. Sam E E Webb shows in the Berkshire Regiment, regimental number 12175, missing April 24, 18. Then I found an index record for an E E Webb in the London Regiment even 2/2 just like the letter (so there’s a tie in), regimental number also 12175, also missing April 24, 18. Finally a record for a S E Webb, regimental number 12175, Unit: Royal Berkshire, tertiary unit: “Attached London Regiment” : https://imgur.com/a/1XoMUI3
So the initials seem to pop up or disapear across various records but seems to all be the same man, and links Sam E E Webb grave to the London Regiment. I’d say trying to track down a descendent would probably best be achieved by trying to first track his children also listed in the pension card in the above link.
2 comments
Written on 9 May 1918 by C.E. Prebble, second lieutenant of the Middlesex Regiment and transferred to the 2nd Battalion, The London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), Lieutenant Prebble writes to Private Webb’s wife to inform her that her husband is believed to have gone missing on 24 April [1918]. The letter cannot be linked to a grave at Tyne Cot, but the regiment was active in the area.
It is likely that the letter was lost during a visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery, presumably during a battlefield trip. The museum team believes that someone is missing this letter, as such documents often have great emotional value for relatives.
I’m going to guess someone has already checked this but the one line of the letter looks to say Pvt Webb S. So perhaps first initial S.
That leads to Pvt Sam Webb. Killed April 24, 1918 — but not in either regiment overlapping with Prebble. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23737049/sam-eustace_edward-webb
Another “matching” fact is the register of effects show 1) he was married and 2) he was “presumed” dead on that date — which I take.to mean no body/he was missing.
Also sad to know that the Lt who wrote the letter died not much later. Killed in action 8 August 1918. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56401164/cyril-edgar-prebble
Edit: a few more perhaps pertinent facts. He had 3 children, so very possible he has surviving ancestors today. Second his pension card also notes his wife was notified he was missing in mid May 1918, so that could match up with this letter.
Edit2: think I might have just about convinced myself. Sam E E Webb shows in the Berkshire Regiment, regimental number 12175, missing April 24, 18. Then I found an index record for an E E Webb in the London Regiment even 2/2 just like the letter (so there’s a tie in), regimental number also 12175, also missing April 24, 18. Finally a record for a S E Webb, regimental number 12175, Unit: Royal Berkshire, tertiary unit: “Attached London Regiment” : https://imgur.com/a/1XoMUI3
So the initials seem to pop up or disapear across various records but seems to all be the same man, and links Sam E E Webb grave to the London Regiment. I’d say trying to track down a descendent would probably best be achieved by trying to first track his children also listed in the pension card in the above link.