George Gibb Webster DCM

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

164208

Unit at enlistment:

84th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Awards or decorations:

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Birth country:

Scotland

Birth county:

Aberdeenshire

Birth city:

Aberdeen

Address at enlistment:

Paris, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Paris, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Box maker

Religious denominations:

Baptist

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 30023
Date: April 17, 1917
Honour or Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Name: George Gibb Webster (164208)
Unit: 73rd Battalion

Details: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He seized a bomb, the fuse of which was burning, and threw it to a place of safety, thereby undoubtedly saving many lives and avoiding a serious explosion in the bomb store.

BX July 30, 1917

Corporal George Gibb Webster gets Distinguished Conduct Medal – Member of 84th Battalion Seized Burning Bomb and Saved Life

After seizing a bomb, the fuse of which was burning, and throwing it safely, Pte. George Gibb Webster, who enlisted in Toronto, last June with the 84th Battalion, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His work undoubtedly saved many lives and avoided a serious explosion, says the official announcement of the decoration. Pte. Webster had been in the trenches but a short time when he performed this act.

Private George Webster formerly lived at 97 Lyons Avenue, this city, where his father still resides. Since receiving this medal he has been promoted to Corporal.

BX April 9, 1943

Geo. Webster, D.C.M., Now R.S.M. of “Duffs”

George Webster, winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the First Great War, has been promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion of the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada, it was announced this morning. Besides the D.C.M., he holds the Victory, General and Long Service Medals.

R.S.M. Webster started his military career in Brantford, back in 1911, when he enlisted in the old 25th (Brant) Dragoons.

From the Dragoons he went on active service in that other war with the 84th Battalion, C.E.F., and to England with it. Over there he was transferred to the Royal Highlanders of Canada and went to France with that regiment in 1916.

At Vimy in March, 1917, he won the D.C.M. for gallantry in the field.

In the battle of Amiens in early 1918, he received gunshot wounds in the left arm and spent a couple of months in a hospital in France before going back into action. He fought in France until the end of the campaign, being with the Canadians at Mons when the Armistice was signed. Enlisting as a private he won promotion to sergeant on the field of action.

He was discharged in May 1919 at Montreal and came back to his home here.

Enlists in Duffs

In 1922, he was back in the Canadian militia. This time as a sergeant in the old Dufferin Rifles, with which he has continued, advancing to the rank of quartermaster sergeant, then company sergeant major, and finally to top sergeant of the regiment.

R.S.M. Wester’s only son is following in his dad’s footsteps. He is on active service and stationed at headquarters, No. 25 C.A.B.T.C. Simcoe.

Mr. and Mrs. Webster and family reside at 54 Burwell Street.

BX June 21, 1973

WEBSTER – At the Brantford General Hospital, on Wednesday, June 20, 1973, George G. Webster, in his 80th year; father of Mrs. Michael (Doris) Musikov, Santa Barbara, California; grandfather of Mrs. John (Joyce) Fletcher, London and Donald Webster, Cleveland, Ohio; also 4 other grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; predeceased by a son, George (Joe) Webster and a daughter, Mrs. E. (Eva) Pamplin; brother of Mrs. William (Millie) Thorpe and Mrs. Bernice Perry, both of Lynden and Albert Webster, Toronto. Mr. Webster was Regimental Sergeant Major of 56th L.A.A. Battery, Brantford. Residing at the Beckett Funeral Home, 88 Brant Avenue for service on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Cyril Squires officiating. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery.