HARRY WEBB
DEATH OF MR. HARRY WEBB FOLLOWING AN OPERATION

Member of an Old Newbury Family

The death occurred at the Newbury District Hospital on Friday of Mr. Harry Webb, of Newtown. Mr. Webb belonged to an old Newbury family. His father was Mr. Charles Webb, a well-known townsman, who was in partnership with his brother, Mr. John Webb, in the old-established grocery business of that name in the Broadway. Harry Webb was born in the house over the shop 70 years ago.

His death was quite sudden and unexpected. He was a great walker, and on Monday he walked from Newbury to his home. The next day he was taken ill and on Wednesday, so serious was his condition that he had to be removed to the hospital.

Mr. Webb did not go into his father's business, but took up farming. Afterwards he was in the dairying trade at Reading. Since he came to live at Newtown soon after the war, Mr. Webb has made himself generally liked amongst the little community at Burghclere Common. He had the kindliest nature and was always ready to do a good turn or neighbourly action. What was more he was blest with the sunniest and bravest outlook upon life. No matter whether good fortune or ill came his way, he faced it with a smile and a cheery courage which was an inspiration and an example to all. He inherited this happy disposition from his father. His passing will be mourned by many friends. As already indicated, he was a great walker and was never happier than when following the hounds on foot. He would take his lunch in his pocket and go off all day with his friend, Mr. Tom Ward.

Mr. Webb married a Miss Purdue, of the Cedars, Donnington, whose father was a proprietor of the Donnington Brewery. She survives him, with a son and daughter, both of whom are in Canada. The deepest sympathy is felt for them in their sudden bereavement.


The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the first part of the service being held at Newtown Church, where the Rev. Canon Medlicott, Rector of Burghclere, and the Rev. F.S.H. Male, Curate-in-charge, of Newtown, officiated.

The family mourners were Mrs. Webb (widow), Mr. and Mrs. H. Butler (sister and brother-in-law), Mrs. Anthony, the Rev. W. and Mrs. Stein, Mr. A.C. Purdue, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, P. Roberts, Mrs. Stanley Butler, and the Rev. W. Lawson Jones. 

Amongst those also present in the church where Mr P J Garrett (Horris Bank), Mr and Mrs Fryer, Mrs Pocock, Mrs Yeomans, Mr and Mrs J Bradfield, Miss Mason, Miss Street,  Messts. Hutchings, Stratton, R Dart and Hugh Turner.

As his body was born from the church the organist Miss Hutt played Mendelssohn's "O rest in the Lord".  The concluding portion of the service at the old cemetery Newtown Rd was taken by the Reverend W Stein and the Reverend W Lawson Jones.  Those present at the cemetery included Mr T L Ward Mr and Mrs John Webb and Mr Bernard Webb.
Newbury Weekly News 8 January 1931 Mrs P. p 185 c15 Born 17 December 1860 Died 2 January 1931
(also wife Clara died 6 July 1935 aged 71)