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202437 1st/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
William Webb was born in Sudbury around 1889, one of eight surviving children of William and Eliza Webb. His father had died by 1891 and the family was living in Byfords Yard. By 1901 his widowed mother was employed as a yarn spinner in a local matting factory and the family had moved to Laundry Gardens.
William enlisted and served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the battalion formed part of 3rd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division as a Pioneer battalion. The German Army launched their Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) on 21 March 1918. This was a vast attack along the whole Somme sector front with the aim to destroy the British Army. The Germans advanced quickly and deeply with heavy losses for the Allies. The Division saw action at the First Battle of the Somme 1918 at St Quentin (21 - 23 March), Bapaume (24 - 25 March) and the First Battle of Arras (18 March). It is not known when or if William was wounded at this time. There were five military hospitals based in the town of Sangatte.
William died on 6 April 1918 and lies buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, Pas de Calais, France. A Cross of Remembrance was laid by his grave in October 2006.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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