Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb DSO MC served with the 1st, 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisional Trains, and then commanded the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Seriously wounded on 5 June 1918, with his leg blown off by a shell. After recovery, Webb, now fitted with an artificial leg, convinced his doctor he was capable of returning to the Western Front, and did so on 20 October 1918.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Order, and the Military Cross, Lt-Col Webb four times Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Croix du Guerre.
Webb born at sea on 30 August 1886, in transit from India to Toronto, Ontario. Raised in England, he immigrated to Canada in 1902. Married to Maud S. Webb of 205 Madison Ave, Toronto.
Attestation
Lieutenant Ralph Humphreys Webb attested 22 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. A lumberman, standing 5′ 11″ tall, 158 pounds, fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. Humphreys had a dog bite scar on his lower lip.
England
Lt Webb with the 2nd Divisional Train, C.A.S.C. sailed to England on 3 October 1914.
France
Lieutenant Ralph Humphreys Webb to France, 8 February 1915. Mentioned in Despatches, by Sir John French, London Gazette No. 29202, 22 June 1915.
Military Cross
Awarded the Military Cross, London Gazette No. 29202, 23 June 1915.
Transferred to H.Q., 2nd Divisional Train, C.A.S.C., 28 June 1915.
2nd Canadian Divisional Train, CASC
Organized at Saint John in 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Massie. Left Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN. Arrived in England 28 April 1915. Strength: 26 officers, 464 other ranks. Arrived in France 13 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division. Lt Webb granted 7 days Leave to England, 7 October 1915.
Captain Ralph Humphreys Webb
Lieutenant Webb to be Temporary Captain, 18 January 1916, London Gazette No. 29442. Then, granted Leave of Absence from 30 April 1916 to 8 May 1916 (to England). In addition, transferred to 3rd Divisional Train, 3 February 1916. Granted 8 days Leave to England, 6 June 1916. Finally, transferred to Canadian Training Division, Shorncliffe, 7 July 1916.
Captain Webb promoted Lieutenant-Colonel to Command 4th Canadian Divisional Train, 9 July 1916. Then, embarked for service overseas, 11 August 1916. Finally, disembarked Le Havre, 12 August 1916.
The Gewehr 98
The Gewehr 98 the standard German infantry weapon of the Great War. A good example of the type of military rifle designed around the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when rifle development reached fever pitch. In common with other armies, the German infantry carried a full length rifle, while other troops were issued with shorter carbines.
The bolt and magazine system of the Gewehr 98 was designed by the Mauser company, although the rifle was produced under licence by a number of other commercial manufacturers, as well as Prussian and Bavarian state arsenals. It was a well-made and accurate weapon, but was not well suited to trench warfare.
Its length of 1.25m (without bayonet) made it difficult to handle in confined spaces. Furthermore its sights calibrated to give a minimum range of 400m, meaning that an auxiliary foresight had to be produced to allow accurate aiming at normal battlefield ranges, which generally proved to be much less than 400m.
Beaucourt and Mametz Wood
This rifle was acquired for the IWM Museum in 1917, by the Major Beckles Wilson, the Deputy Inspector of Trophies. Passed to him by Lieutenant-Colonel Webb of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In addition, a letter from Webb, quoted in the museum War Trophies file (A 4/4) states:
I went over the top at Beaucourt Wood, lost my gun and a German Officer near by was about to give me a bullet. I managed to get him in a desperate hand-to-hand struggle, left him dead, and brought back his rifle as a Souvenir.
Captain Ralph Humphreys Webb
Lieutenant-Colonel Webb granted Leave of Absence from 14 March 1917 to 16 April 1917. Then, Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No.30107, for Gallant and Distinguished Conduct in the Field, 1 June 1917.
47th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Organized in February 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. N. Winsby. Mobilized at New Westminster. Recruited in New Westminster, Vancouver and Victoria. Then, drafts of 5 officers, 250 other ranks, 4 officers, 244 other ranks and 5 officers, 249 other ranks sent to England on 17 June, 24 June and 1 October 1915.
Embarked from Montreal 13 November 1915 aboard MISSANABIE. Then, disembarked England 22 November 1915, strength: 36 officers, 1115 other ranks. Finally, disembarked in France 10 August 1916, 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade. In addition, reinforced by 24th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Humphreys Webb attached to 36th Canadian Infantry Battalion, 21 July 1917. On Command, 36th Battalion, 23 July 1917.
Ralph Humphreys Webb succeeded Lieutenant Colonel M. J. Francis as commander of the 47th Battalion on 14 December 1917. Then, Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No.30448, 28 December 1917. Again, Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette No. 30706, 28 May 1918.
Wounded
Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb wounded, 5 June 1918, Bailleul (Oppy), France. Shell blowing off leg about center of thigh. Admitted to No. 57 Casualty Clearing Station. Then, operation on stump at No.57 Casualty Clearing Station. Left thigh amputated about center of femur, 27 July 1918 by Colonel Armour, another 1 1/2″ bone removed.
Distinguished Service Order
Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb awarded the D.S.O., London Gazette No.30883, 4 September 1918.
Webb proceeded to England, admitted to War Hospital, Exeter. Then, admitted to Granville Canadian Special Hospital, Buxton. And then, on 28 September 1918, rated “C1”, Webb is approved to return to the front as he is in splendid health. In addition, Colonel Little, the Consulting Surgeon to Q.M.C.A. Hospital, Roehampton, states he is able to return to the front. Finally, Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb discharged on 18 October 1918.
Return to France
Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Humphreys Webb returned to Command the 47th Battalion, 20 October 1918.
Demobilization
Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb returned to England 17 May 1919. Finally, among the last of the CEF to return to Canada, 20 September 1919.
After the war, the charismatic, one-legged war hero twice Mayor of Winnipeg (1925-1928, 1930-1934). Taking a strong stand against socialism and communism, he argued the “Red Gospel” indoctrinated children “to defy, desecrate and insult the Union Jack, to roll it in the mud and spit upon it.” In addition, Webb served as Conservative member of the Manitoba Legislature from 1932 to 1939.
Lt-Col Ralph Humphreys Webb died in Ottawa on 1 June 1945. Buried at Winnipeg (St. John’s) Cemetery, Manitoba, Canada.
More
Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.