Aubrey Webster

Aubrey Webster

Aubrey Webster

Aubrey Herbert Bower Webster was born in 1888, the only son of the Rev John Webster of Ombersley, Droitwich. He was educated at King’s School, Worcester. In 1907 he won an Exhibition to Brasenose College Oxford and was a close friend of Noel Downing. After Oxford, he became a school teacher.

On 26 Jan 1915 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Northamptonshire regiment

He is mentioned in one letter from Noel Downing, already out in France in Jan 1916, where Aubrey is bored at not being sent to the front. Given the events of the following months this makes painful reading.

A letter from him to Noel’s sister Mary Downing has also survived, sent from BEF Calais dated 5 Apr 1916. (see below)

He was killed three weeks later on 24 April 1916 and a memorial exists in St Andrews Church, Ombersley.

Aubrey’s sister Kathleen Webster was also a frequent visitor to the Downing family in Hagley.

 

Aubrey Webster Letter

Aubrey Webster Letter – page 1

Aubrey Webster Letter

Aubrey Webster Letter – page 2

Aubrey Webster Letter

Aubrey Webster Letter – page 3