Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Henry Webb, a granite quarry bricklayer, born 1864 in Hillmorton, Warwickshire and his wife Lydia Webb (nee Wilson, married on the 10th June 1889 in Croft Parish Church), born 1864 in Huncote, Leicestershire. Frederick Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Croft, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 31st May 1896 in Croft Parish Church, his siblings were, Minnie Agatha, born 4th July 1890 and was baptised on the 10th August 1890 in Croft Parish Church, Grace Clara, born 1892 and baptised on the 14th February 1892 in Croft Parish Church, Harriet Lydia, born 1893 and baptised on the 10th December 1893 in Croft Parish Church, Richard Leonard, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 1st August 1897 in Croft Parish Church and Florence Mabel, born 8th September 1900and baptised on the 27th January 1901 in Croft Parish Church, all his siblings were born in Croft, in March 1901 the family home was in Peters Field, Croft. In April 1911 Frederick was employed as a concrete worker and was residing in the family home in Peters Field, Croft, together with his father, a concrete worker, his mother and siblings, Richard, a schoolboy, Florence, a schoolgirl and Harriet, a servant. His younger brother, Richard Leonard fell in action on the 10th October 1917.
Frederick enlisted into the Regular Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 14876. He gave his place of birth as Croft, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 125 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as stone finisher.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 5½ inches in height, weighed 118 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, his physical development was described as good, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Frederick Henry Webb, Petersfield, Croft, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot. Leicestershire Regiment. Private. 8/9/14.
Posted. To 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. 24/9/14.
Admitted. To Military Hospital, Bulford. 17/7/15.
Discharged. From Hospital. 21/7/15.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15.
Deprived. 3 days pay for misconduct, losing by neglect etc. 11/8/15.
Died. In the 99th Field Ambulance. Of wounds received in action. 14/7/16.
Buried. In Bazentin-le-Petit Cemetery, 5 miles East North East of Albert by The Reverend W. Hogarth attached to the 99th Field Ambulance. 14/7/16.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
Frederick’s surviving service record amounts to a total of nineteen pages, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETT’S party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00 pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies). Between 9.00 pm and 11.00 pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.