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. Richard Leonard was born in the 2nd quarter of 1897 in Croft, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 1st August 1897 in Croft Parish Church, his siblings were, Minnie Agatha, born 4th July 1890 and 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, Frederick Henry, born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 31st May 1896 in Croft Parish Church and Florence Mabel, born 8th September 1900 and 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 Richard was a schoolboy, and was residing in the family home in Peters Field, Croft, together with his father, a concrete worker, his mother and siblings, Frederick, a concrete worker, Florence, a schoolgirl and Harriet, a servant. His older brother, Frederick Henry fell in action on the 14th July 1916.
Richard enlisted into the Regular Army on the 7th March 1916 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 2067. He gave his age as 18 years 322 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as concrete finisher.
His medical examination recorded that he was 6 feet 0 inches in height, weighed 160 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 37 and 39 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, slight varicose veins behind left knee.
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:-
Attested. Leicester. 7/3/16.
Transferred. Army Reserve. 7/3/16.
Mobilized. 28/11/16.
Posted. To Household Battalion. Depot. Trooper. 29/11/16.
Committed the offence of. Insubordination and abuse to an N.C.O. at Windsor. 14/1/17.
Awarded. 7 days Confined to Barracks. 14/1/17.
Posted. To 1st Household Battalion. 20/3/17.
Embarked. Southampton. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 26/3/17.
Disembarked. Havre. 27/3/17.
Posted. To No.1 Infantry Brigade Depot. 27/3/17.
Joined. The 1st Household Battalion. In the Field. 19/4/17.
Admitted. To 8th General Hospital, Le Touquet. Sprained ankle. 24/5/17.
Transferred. To 6th Convalescent Depot, Etaples. 3/6/17.
Transferred. To 5th Convalescent Depot, Cayeux. 11/6/17.
Transferred. To No.1 Infantry Brigade Depot, Havre. 2/7/17.
Killed in action. In the Field, France. 10/10/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/3/16 – 25/3/17. 1 year 47 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 26/3/17 – 10/10/17. 199 days.
Total service. 1 year 246 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Richard’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twenty three pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.
The War Diary records: 10 Oct-17 – FRONT LINE, RIGHT BATTALION, 12th BRIGADE. Ref: Sheet BROEMBEEK 1/10.000. Battalion relieved 2nd ESSEX REGIMENT in the right sub-sector of 12th Brigade front and came under the orders of Brigadier General Commanding 12th Brigade. We were caught in a heavy barrage on the POELCAPELLE-SCHREIBOOM road on the way up and lost 45 in casualties.
Relief was complete at 9.30 pm. It was especially difficult owing to the fact that the line had only been taken up after the attack of the 9th. Battalion Headquarters at FERDAN HOUSE (U.19.a.7.5).
After relief two front line Companies had to be withdrawn West of POELCAPELLE – LES CHEMINS road owing to heavy artillery shoot.