Alexandra Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment, Green Howards, Service no. 4396978
Born: 14th March 1911
Story
John’s parents were John Webster (1873-1948) and Eliza Wilkinson (1876-1961). Before the War, John lived on the Common, Kippax, and worked for E Clough & Sons Fruit & Vegetable shop in Kippax. He married Margery Booth in 1938, before enlisting. On 3rd July 1944, John was reported to have been injured. This news was likely the result of John being taken prisoner on 31st May 1944 in Italy by the Germans. He was detained at four prisoner of war camps before reaching his last transit camp, and was then moved the next day to an organised prisoner of war camp near Munich, arriving there on 27th June 1944. Whilst held as a prisoner in Germany, John was put to work clearing bomb damage in Munich, and was in receipt of food parcels from the Red Cross. John was liberated on 30th April 1945 and on the 11th May he flew to Brussels and then back to England.
After the War, John resumed work as a Grocer at the Co-Op, and lived at 58 Leeds Road. His wife Margery, who was born 1st January 1914, passed away in 1993, and John died the following year. Their daughter Andrea has preserved the following documents from John’s time in the Army.
Kippax Roll of Honour 