Pte 15967 Joseph Lord Webb

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 24th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Toxteth Park Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: XII.CE.74

Joseph Lord Webb was born on 17th July 1896 in Old Swan, Liverpool and was the son of Joseph Henry Webb and his wife Sarah Ann (née Lord) who were married on the 10th June 1879 at All Hallows Church, Bispham, Lancashire. Joseph was a 20 year old policeman of Garston, his father, Joseph, was a mechanic, whilst Sarah was aged 23 of Blackpool,her father, Charles, a police inspector. He was baptised on 01st August 1896 at St. Anne's Church, Stanley, Liverpool.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 1 Derby Lane, Liverpool. Joseph, aged 4, is the only child listed and is living with his parents. His father, Joseph, is a Police Superintendent born in Hoole, Cheshire in 1852, whilst his mother was born in Skerton, Lancaster, Lancashire in 1856. There is a domestic servant listed in the household, she is Edith Allan aged 18.  

By 1911 the family has moved to 5A Derby Lane, Liverpool. Joseph is now 14 and still at school. Both parents are still in the property alongside a domestic servant named Johanna Brew whois 26 years of age. His parents Joseph, aged 59, a Police Superintendent, and Sarah, aged 55, advised that they have been married for 31 years and have had two children one of whom sadly died, leaving Joseph as their only surviving child.      

He was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School from 12th September 1907 to 03rd April 1912. On 04th March 1912 he was confirmed into the Church of England at St. Anne's Church, Stanley, Liverpool.

Prior to the outbreak of the war he was employed by William Just and Co., Water Street, Liverpool. [William Just and Co., ships insurance brokers, 1 Commercial building, 17 Water St.] 

Joseph enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 01st September 1914  joining the 17th Battalion, of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 15967. He gave his age as 19 years and 45 days, (he was in fact 18 years of age) and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5 feet ten inches tall, weighing 158 pounds with a chest measurement of 37 1/2 inches. His compexion is fair, hair and eyes are brown. Joseph's next of kin is listed as his father Joseph Henry Webb of 111 Ampthill Road, Aigburth, Liverpool, and he stated his religion as Church of England. His mother is Sarah Ann of the same address.  

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.
                                                                
Nothing is listed about his war service apart from that he was wounded in action and returned to the UK on 22nd April 1918. He was admitted straight to Whipps Cross War Hospital in Leytonstone, North East London where he died on the 24^th April 1918, aged 21, from septicaemia in consequence to a wound to his thigh received in action at Kemmel, Belgium during the German Spring Offensive. The medical report shows that Joseph was admitted with a Gun-shot wound to his left thigh. There was a gangrenous discharge coming from the wound and the thigh was swollen with a greenish coloration of the skin that had reached the knee joint. Joseph also had a wound to his left hand. On the 23rd April the thigh became more swollen and the discharge had reached the knee. Sadly on the 24th April Joseph died at 3.pm. His body was returned to Liverpool where he was laid to rest at Toxteth Park Cemetery on 30th April 1918.

There are 288 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 06th May 1918:

Pte. Joseph Lord Webb, K.L.R., aged 22, died of wounds on April 24,1918. He joined the Pals in Sept.1914. He was the only child of Mr.and Mrs. J. H. Webb, of 111,Ampthill-road, and an old pupil of Liverpool Collegiate School, Shaw-street. Before joining up he was with Williams, Just, & Co., Water-st. 

Joseph is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 34

St Anne's Church,Stanley, Liverpool

Collegiate School Liverpool 

Stoneycroft Methodist Church

His father died on 28th June 1920, aged 69.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on Tuesday 29 June 1920; 

His mother died, 10th July 1939, aged 83. Both rest at Toxteth Park Cemetery alongside their son.  

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 12 July 1939: 

We currently have no further information on Joseph Lord Webb, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.