"Thomas Webber was born on 6th January, 1843 in Somerset. He joined the Royal Navy on 12th March, 1863 and he served on a number of ships including HMS Pearl, HMS Victoria and HMS Warrior. Thomas later served on board HMS Shah between 16th September, 1876 and 1st November, 1879, seeing action on 29th May 1877 during the Battle of Pacocha when HMS Shah engaged the Peruvian armoured turret ship Huascar, when it fired the first torpedo to be used in anger. He then saw service in South African Zulu War where men from HMS Shah and HMS Active formed a Naval Brigade and saw action at Gingihlovo and Ekowe, Thomas later served as a Petty Officer 1st Class and Captain of the 2nd Deck on board HMS Superb between 7th October, 1880 and 7th October, 1882 and was awarded the Egypt Medal 1882 with Alexandria 11th July 1882 clasp. He was pensioned "Shore" from HMS Duke of Wellington on 12th December 1882."