Private Roland WEBB (1895-1916).

Note on christian name: Christian name on NZEF Nominal Roll is given as Richard).

NZEF Service # 11/2504; Private, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, D Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).

Born 20 July 1895 - at Laverique Bay, Manaroa, Pelorus Sounds, Marlborough Region, South Island New Zealand.

Roland was the son of John J. & Phoebe Webb - of Laverique Bay.

Prior to enlistment for war service Roland Webb was a Farmer - employed on the family farm - at Laverique Bay.

Roland Webb enlisted for war service - on 16 October 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand. He was 20 years of age.

At enlistment Roland Webb was posted as a Trooper with the Wellington Mounted Rifles Brigade,  B Squadron, NZEF.

On 4 March 1916 Trooper Webb left New Zealand for overseas war service - aboard HMNZ either T47 'Willochra' or T48 'Tofua' - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Four weeks later - on 8 April 1916 - Trooper Webb disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.

Trooper Webb would later transfer, as a Trooper with the Wellington Mounted Rifles NZEF - to the rank of Private with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 12th (Nelson) Company, NZEF.

On 23 August 1916 Private Webb joined the NZEF Division at France.

Two days later - on 25 August 1916 - Private Webb was posted to the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion - in the field, at France.

On 15 September 1916 Private Roland Webb was reported as missing and wounded in the field, at the Somme, France.

Later Private Roland Webb would be reported on a French Burial Report "As dead - died of wounds on 15 September 1916". At his death he was 21 years of age.

Private Roland Webb is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France (Grave ref: 11.E.10).

For Private Roland Webb's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

Photo Credit: 'Weekly News' (15 March 1917) - from the Auckland Library Heritage Photograph Collection (Auckland, New Zealand).

Photo Credit: Portage Pass War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett