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In 1911 Albert and Annie were living at 282, Caerleon Road, Newport and he was still an insurance agent. Albert’s father died in 1912.

Around 1916 Albert enlisted in the South Wales Borderers and by June of that year he was a corporal when he attended the funeral of his sister Gertrude in Brecon, together with his brother Douglas who was now serving as second lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment, Machine Gun Corps. Albert later became acting sergeant major serving on the Western Front.

At 11.30 on the 6th June 1918 he was hit by a shell, and although the Germans were shelling heavily at the time he carried on fighting. The wound was not thought to be serious but as he was carried away to the dressing station he said to his fellow soldiers that he would be in Blighty before them and would get a nice rest out of it. He was quite conscious and did not suffer much pain. However, he died a few hours later. He was buried the following day and was greatly missed by his commanding officer and fellow soldiers.

Albert's one brother Douglas Gordon Webster,²⁶ was killed at the front shortly afterwards on the 29th September 1918. His other brothers, Maurice and Harry were also serving there. They had both settled in Canada, but joined up as soon as the war broke out, and came over with a Canadian contingent.

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Sergeant Albert Webster

South Wales Borderers 10th Battalion, service no. 35010

Died of wounds on June 6th, 1918 in France, aged 39

Buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France

Albert was the second son of George and Ellen Webster. He was born on August 28th, 1879 in Brecon and was baptized on September 17th in St Mary’s Church. The family were living at 92, The Watton, Brecon., next door to the Prince of Wales Inn, which they were later to live in and manage. George was an army pensioner having served with the South Wales Borderers.

In 1891 Albert had six older sisters, Ellen Eugenie, Gertrude, Vida, May, Gladys and Kate and two brothers Harry George and Douglas Gordon; and by 1895 a younger brother Maurice. Vida died in 1898.

Sometime in the 1890s Albert enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 and was present at the Relief of Peking, for which he received a medal.

By 1907 Albert was no longer in the army but was an insurance agent living at 88, The Watton with his parents. On September 2nd he married Annie Matilda Boxhall, who was living at 49, Orchard Street in Brecon and working as a grocery shop assistant. Her father Joseph was a house decorator. Albert's brother George and sister Kate were

witnesses at the wedding.