MILITARY HISTORY
DANIEL DAVID WALWIN WEBSTER – 228306 – Active Service (World War I)
On April 27th, 1916 Daniel David Walwin Webster completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in Veteran, Alberta. He was 19 years, 1 month, and 12 days old, when as a single man; he enlisted for the duration of the War. Daniel Webster indicated that he was born in Lakefield, Ontario and gave his birth date as March 15th, 1897. The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level. His current address was listed as Veteran, Alberta. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Bank Clerk”. Webster was 5′ 6 3/4” tall, and had a 34 3/4” chest (expanded). He had a fair complexion, greenish grey eyes, and brown hair. His medical examination took place in Veteran, Alberta, April 27th, 1916. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit (Category A), for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His next-of-kin was listed as his father, Robert Webster of Transcona, Manitoba. Daniel Webster signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on April 27th, 1916. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on April 27th, 1916 also in Veteran, Alberta. Daniel David Walwin Webster was taken-on-strength as a ”Private” with the 13th Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF and was assigned Regimental Service Number 228306.
The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed May 4th, 1916 also in Veteran, Alberta.
There is no indication, in the Military File, where Pte. Webster trained.
Pte. Webster embarked from the Port of Halifax on June 28th, 1916 aboard the S.S. Olympic. He disembarked in England on July 4th, 1916.
July 19th, 1916 he was transferred to the CCD (Canadian Command Depot, Shroncliffe, England. On July 21st, 1916 he was transferred to the Fort Garry Horse Reserve Regiment.
October 6th, 1916 he was struck-off-strength from the Fort Garry Horse Reserve Regiment on transfer to the 11th Canadian Infantry Battalion. October 21st, 1916 he was struck-off-strength from the 11th Canadian Infantry Battalion, on transfer to the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion. October 22nd, 1916 he was taken-on-strength with the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, on embarkation to France, arriving at the Canadian Base Depot at Le Havre, on the same day.
The 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion fought as part of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade – 1st Canadian Division.
November 4th, 1916 he left the Canadian Base Depot for his Unit, arriving November 6th, 1916.
There are no entries in the Military File from November 6th, 1916 to December 1st, 1916. To track his movement during this period, the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion War Diary was used.
November 1916 – when Private Webster joined the 8th Canadian Infantry Battalion, in the field, he was assigned to ”D” Company. The Battalion had just been relieved on the front-line by the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and had moved to billets at Villiers au Bois. The 7th was described as showery and miserable. The Companies started organizing ”wiring” parties. On the 8th, ”B and C” Companies moved, during the afternoon, to billets at Carency; while ”A and D” Battalions remained at Villiers au Bois. During the morning of the 9th, ”A and D” Companies joined ”B and C” at Carency. On the 10th, 1 Officer and 1 NCO from each Company went forward in preparation to relieve the 5th Cdn Inf Bn in the right sub-section of the front-line trenches. At 3:00 pm, the Battalion paraded to the trenches and relieved the 5th Cdn Inf Bn. Relief was complete by 4:15 pm. The night was reported as quiet. The 11th was reported as fine. All men were engaged in working parties improving conditions in the trenches. 1 other rank was killed by a German sniper; 1 other rank was killed by a shell from a Minenwafer (short range mortar) and 1 other was wounded. The activities of the work parties, on the 12th, were covered by Battalion snipers. Another quiet night was reported. The weather on the 13th, was reported as fine. Battalion rifle batteries were set-up and registered (getting the range). A few enemy ”Minnies” came over, to which the Battalion Stokes guns replied effectively. An enemy ”Whizbang” slightly wounded 3 men. On the 14th, all work party activity stopped at 11:00 am, in order to prepare for being relieved. The trenches had been thoroughly drained and cleaned. Relief by the 5th Cdn Inf Bn began shortly after 2:00 pm and was complete by 4:15 pm. The weather on the 15th, was reported as ”fine, cold, and frosty”. All work party activity was cancelled owing to an enemy artillery bombardment of the Battalion position. Battalion disposition was as follows: ”A” Company – 2 platoons at Carency and 2 platoons at Bajolle Switch; ”B” Company – 2 platoons at Carency and 2 platoons at Bajolle South; ”C and D” Companies remained at Carency. The 16th, was reported as being quiet. The Battalion was visited by the Commanding Officer of the 13th Cdn Inf Bn in preparation for being relieved. On the 17th, a few enemy artillery shells passed over, and fell about 100 yards from Battalion Headquarters, no casualties were reported. The Battalion was relieved on the 18th, at 10:00 am, by the 13th Cdn Inf Bn. Weather was described as very dreary and wet.
The Battalion reached Covy-Servins about 11:00 am, but were unable to get into billets because the 15th Cdn Inf Bn had not left. The billets were cleared by 1:00 pm. The weather on the 19th, was dull and chilly. Holy Communion was at 7:30 am, Catholic Mass in a village church at 9:00 am, and Divine Service at 10:30 am. Each man in the Battalion received an extra 50 francs for Christmas. On the 20th, the Battalion was inspected by the Commanding General, who was very pleased with what he found. The 21st, was fine, but chilly. Courses were held at the Division school at Maisonill Bouche in: bombing, Lewis guns, and trench building. On the 22nd, Courses continued for part of the Battalion, while the remainder, received instruction in gas attacks. They were issued new Gas Respirators. As part of the instruction, each man had to pass through a building filled with smoke and gas. 40 other ranks reinforcements arrived and were distributed in the Companies. Weather on the 23rd was reported as fine. All courses at the Division school were cancelled. All men who had joined the Battalion since August 20th were inoculated. An ”Identification Parade” was held on the 24th. The 25th was wet, while the Battalion went through training on trench raids over a taped course. On the 26th, the Battalion relieved the 2nd Cdn Inf Bn in the Alhambria front-line. Relief was complete by 2:45 pm; except for the machine guns, which came forward after dark. 3 Companies were in the front-line trenches with 1 Company in reserve. The 7th Cdn Inf Bn was on the right and the 14th Cdn Inf Bn on the left. ”B” Company experienced a great deal of difficulty in getting accommodation.
The Military File shows Private Webster was initially reported as killed-in-action on November 27th, 1916 this date was later corrected to reflect December 1st, 1916.
The following two entries in the War Diary provide information on what happened on both days.
November 27th – During the day arrangements were perfected for the coming show. The day was cold, but dry. At 9:50 pm, a mine, under the enemy line was exploded and the raid proceeded. Battalion casualties during the raid were: 1 officer killed and 1 wounded; 30 other ranks were wounded and 5 killed. Most of the casualties were caused by enemy retaliation. No enemy prisoners were taken. All was reported quiet by 11:50 pm. Due to difficulties in getting them out, 2 of the other ranks killed were left behind between enemy lines and parapets.
December 1st – a heavy mist hampered artillery activity on both sides with only the occasional 18 pounder was fired, throughout the day. However, trench mortars were very active with the Battalion reporting several casualties as a consequence.
Private Daniel David Walwin Webster is remembered with honour in the Villers Station Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
The Military File indicates that Private Daniel David Walwin Webster was eligible to receive the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
The Memorial Plaque and Scroll were sent to his father Robert F. Webster of Transcona, Manitoba; and the Memorial Cross to his mother Mrs. Mary A. Webster of the same address.
According to the Military File, Private Daniel David Walwin Webster served a total of 7 months and 4 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: 2 months and 7 days in Canada; 3 months and 18 days in the U.K., and 1 month and 9 days in France.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
”The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.
PERSONAL HISTORY
DANIEL DAVID WALWIN WEBSTER
Daniel David Walwin Webster was born in Lakefield, Ontario on March 15, 1898, the son of Robert Frederick Webster and Mary Ann Duncan. At the time of his birth, the family was living on Crow Lane in Lakefield and Robert was a carpenter. After a few years in Lakefield, the family moved on to Penetanguishene and then on to Beaverton. We assume that Daniel received his education in the local school where they were living. By 1910 the family had settled in Transcona, a subdivision of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Daniel had six siblings. By 1916, Daniel was living and working as a bank clerk in Veteran, Alberta, a very small community about 120 miles east of Red Deer Alberta.
On April 27, 1916 Daniel enlisted to serve his Country indicating on his Attestation papers that he was born a year earlier than the date his birth registration. By the end of June he was on his way to England. Sadly six months later after heavy fighting in France, Private Daniel David Walwin Webster was killed-in-action on December 1, 1916, age 18 years. Private Daniel David Walwin Webster is remembered with honour in the Villers Station Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.
FAMILY HISTORY OF DANIEL DAVID WALWIN WEBSTER
The maternal grandparents of Daniel Webster were Mary “Elizabeth” and Samuel Mitchell/
The paternal grandparents of Daniel Webster were Charles Daniel Webster born in 1821 and Amelia Margaret Mitchell born on May 12, 1832. They were married in Emily Township, Victoria County on January 9, 1856. They made their home in Emily Township and had a family of eight children. Charles Webster died on February 19, 1870. In 1881 Amelia married Joseph Lowes and they were living in Emily Township. By 1901 Amelia and her children were living in Lakefield, Ontario. Amelia passed away on October 22, 1906 and is buried in Emily Cemetery in Emily Township.
The parents of Daniel Webster were Robert Frederick Webster born in Emily Township, Victoria County on April 20, 1864 and Mary Ann Duncan born in 1867. Robert and Mary Ann were married in Uxbridge Township, Durham County on April 30, 1890 by Rev. E. Roberts with George Angus of Toronto and Charlotte Duncan of Uxbridge in attendance. They made their home in Toronto until early in 1897 when they moved to Lakefield. After a few years the family then moved on to Penetanguishene. Robert worked as a carpenter and upholsterer. They later moved to Beaverton before finally moving to Transcona, Manitoba sometime after 1906. By this time the family had seven children – Mary Amelia “Milly”, Erasmus William Frederick, Lena Maud, Daniel David Walwin “Wally”, Marion Elizabeth, Samuel Albert “Bert “ Thomas and Wilbert Duncan Edward Webster. Mary Ann died at St. Roch’s Hospital in St. Boniface, Manitoba on June 27, 1927 and Robert Frederick Webster died in Transcona, Manitoba on February 23, 1950.
