Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B.

Subject: Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B. Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:32 pm

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Commissary Edward William Henry Webb, C.B.,
Commissariat & Transport Department.
(John Young Collection.)

An engraving of Webb as it appeared in The Illustrated London News of 27th December 1879.
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The accompanying text from the same issue:
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Burke’s Peerage of 1881 records in the Military Section of the Companions of the Order of the Bath that Webb received his award for his services in the Zulu War of 1879.

Now here’s the rub, a check on his clasp entitlement records only 1877-8.

Keith Smith in his Local Orders... refers to a document dated 19th November 1878 that Webb received permission to return to England to convalesce his health. So almost a month prior to the Ultimatum Webb was due to depart the Colony of Natal. So was his C.B. a reward for his advanced planning for what was then undeclared, unsanctioned war?

JY

Subject: Re: Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B. Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:10 pm

RANK DATE ACHIEVED DATE STATION

Webb, Edward William Henry
First commissioned rank (1872) 29 Oct 1858) 1872 ASC
Ensign (purchase)(1860) (29 Oct 1858)
Captain Military Train (1872) ?
Commissary (1872) (15 Feb 1870

Subject: Re: Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B. Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:24 pm

Well, I suppose we don't know exactly when he did return to England to convalesce...it might have been as late as December 1878.
We do know that the planning for the conflict began quite early - as early as September - just in case it came to war. And of course there were operations against Sekhukhune and his ilk in 1978. All in all, the establishment of military bases/depots on the approach roads to the border makes sense.
I wouldn't like to use this as the basis of an essay suggesting the whole war was pre-planned and inevitable.

Subject: Re: Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B. Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:50 pm

Julian,

His service record would reveal the date of departure.

The Sekhukhune Campaign of 1978? Joker

Those baPedi must have had good genes!

JY

Subject: Re: Commissary E. W. H. Webb, C.B. Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:02 pm

Perhaps they were in it for the l-o-n-g haul?

Posts : 1085 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
Ed W. H. Webb born circa 1839, CB announced Windsor, Dec 1879, to Half Pay 23 Feb 1880, Died 31 Oct 1887 buried Hove Cemetery [South], Hove, Sussex. There is a photo of the grave on the billiongraves.com website.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

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