Canada, Commonwealth. A First War Pair To The Canadian Garrison Artillery

First War Pair to the Canadian Garrison Artillery - British War Medal (305115 A. CPL. A. WEBSTER. C.G.A.); and Victory Medal (305115 A. CPL. A. WEBSTER. C.G.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, very crisp detail, dark patina on the BWM, original ribbons sewn at the ends, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a CD containing twenty-two pages with copies of his IndexCards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Discharge Certificates, Particulars of Family of an Officer or Man Enlisted in C.E.F. Document, plus a letter to and correspndence from the National Personnel Records Centre, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa (dated October 18, 1986, from John W, Miller, inquiring about his family history, in regards to the war service of his grandfather, Alexander Webster, and his great-uncle Charles Webster). 

Footnote: Alexander Webster was born on October 10, 1887 in Rothiemay, Banff, Scotland, the son of Barbara Thorpe of Winnipeg, Manitoba, whom had remarried after the death of his father. He signed his Attestation Paper on October 23. 1915, in Brantford Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was married to Mrs. Margaret Webster (nee Glenie) of Brantford, Ontario and that his trade was that of Electrician. He had four children, a son, Edward, and three daughters, Barbara, Helen and Violet. Webster was transferred to the 42nd Battery on December 17, 1915 and was now a Gunner. He was transferred again, this time to the 54th Battery on March 11, 1916 and then to the 69th Overseas Battery on May 31st. It was at this time that he was being treated for Rheumatism from May 1 to July 6, 1916, spending thirty-seven days in hospital at E4 Camp in Toronto. There is a note still attached to his Medical History Sheet indicating that he had two sets of anti-typhoid innoculations in early July 1916. Webster embarked Canada aboard the Empress of Britain on July 16, 1916, disembarking in England on the 25th. He was taken on strength by the CFA Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe upon arrival. He saw two advances in rank that fall, as he was appointed Acting Bombadier on October 24, 1916 and Acting Corporal on November 17, 1916. Webster was struck off strength to the 2nd Reserve Artillery on June 22, 1917 and reverted to the rank of Gunner on August 23rd at Shorncliffe. 

Two days later he was drafted to the 8th Siege Battery and sent to France on August 25th, landing there on the 26th. One month later, he was struck off strength to the 54th Battery on September 27th (the 54th becoming known as the 2nd Brigade CGA on March 20, 1918). Webster was to see another transfer, this time to the 5th Canadian Siege Battery and was taken on strength on October 28th, joining his unit in the field on November 3rd. He was granted fourteen days leave to the United Kingdom on September 16, 1918, rejoining his unit on October 2nd. Upon ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to Calais on March 30, 1919, then to England on April 1st. He was struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on April 3rd at Witley, having served nineteen months as a Gunner in the French theatre. Webster embarked Southampton, England on May 3, 1919 aboard the H.M.T. Mauretania, disembarking in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 9th. He was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario on May 11th. Webster was credited with having served in Canada, England and France, earning a War Service Badge Class "A", number 288826. 

He died October 5, 1953, at the age of 65. He also had a brother who served during World War I, who met with fate and did not return to Canada, losing his life in the French theatre. He was Charles Webster (150682), who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on March 4, 1896. Charles Webster signed his Attestation Paper with the 79th Infantry Battalion "Manitoba Battalion" at Elgin, Manitoba on November 17, 1915, stating that he had no previous military service, the he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. He died on September 12, 1916, possilbly killed in action and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, twenty-seven kilometres south of Boulogne.