Third son of W.H. Webster (2). Born Tuesday 3.25. a.m. 18th February
1913, at 13 Victoria avenue, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire. Attended Huddersfield
College, but owing to deteriorating eyesight, he attended the Kings Manor
school, York, for a while. Fortunately his eyesight improved miraculously
but this period interrupted his studies and his undoubted abilities at
draughtmanship were not pursued. At that time in the 1930`s owing to the
depression, work opportunities were poor, so went to Canada `to pick up
the gold dollars lying in the streets` as it was said. He was seventeen
and a half years old and was there almost 3 years, attending Kemptville
Agricultural College in Ontario during the winter and in summer had practical
experience on farms.
He sailed to Canada on the Cunard liner `Antonia` and the journey took
a week; they sailed to Montreal and were taken to a holiday centre, where
the boy emigrants were allocated to farms; John was sent to Trenton, which
was a very bad farm. They were as poor as church mice. The children only
possessed running shoes like the present day sneakers and as soon as they
got home, they had to take them off and go barefoot.
Breakfast consisted of bread and honey, there were lots of potatoes and
pork at the other meal. In the living room, there were huge gaps between
the planks of the walls and there was a big wood burning stove in the
middle to cook on and for warmth and a pipe from it ran up into the middle
of the roof.
John was much happier at the farm owned by Alex Barker and his wife, across
the road from the Mc Gills, between Almonte and Pakenham. (We still correspond
regularly with the Mc Gills). During the winter they worked just for their
keep and were lucky to receive $5 per month. In summer it might possibly
be $15 in spite of John having College qualifications.
They were up at 4.00 a.m. and Alex got up at the same time, but did not
seem to do much. John milked and fed the animals and cleaned out the byre
by 7.00 a.m. and then had breakfast and out into the fields, with a midday
break for lunch and then on until about 6.00 p.m.
In winter they worked less because it was too expensive to use electricity,
although Alex had it, which was most unusual then, as he made his own.
When the lads returned to the house, they took a quarter of an hour extra,
if Alex had gone to town with a load of grain. They had potatoes at every
meal, Mrs B cut the cake, John was given a small piece, but when possible
he helped himself to another, until she realised what he was doing !!
To mend socks, Mrs B `cobbled` the hole, i.e:- went round it and then
pulled the ends together and tied them !
They had a fireplace, but no chimneys, two staircases, one of which they
were not allowed to use, and a bathroom which Alex never used in 15 years,
nor was John allowed to use that. Mrs B. probably had a stand up wash.
Alex died in 1957 and Mrs B in 1952.
When the stallion was brought to the farm, all the women goggled at the
window, - it was taken from farm to farm and charged so much per jump.
To kill a pig, Alex slit its throat and let it run around until it dropped
and bled to death. Then it was put in a bath with scalding water and the
hair scraped off. It was cut up and the excess fat was used to make soap
and lard. In the 1930`s the pig must not be more than 300 lbs, or it would
not be accepted for killing for the trade, - it was expected to put 1
lb a day to pay for itself. Before that, pigs could weigh up to 600 lbs,
but now they are more likely to be around 100 lbs. Lard was used in place
of butter. (Doris had bread and lard, with salt and pepper as children
and the men took it down to the pits for their meals, we too as children
had bread and dripping often).
John could have bought virgin land in the Peace River area for 50 cents
per acre, but there were no railheads near and no possibility of marketing
the produce, so he returned to England, aboard the "Letitia" to work in
textiles as a carding engineer.
He was always a real `handyman` and even before going to Canada, climbed
up on the roof to repair it and, at the age of 73, he did the same thing
for his daughter Ruth. He is a good `knackler` to use a local expression.
i.e:- he can put his hand to anything.
As a child he was always popular and cheerful and took the lead in any
mischief, so got more `tannings` than the rest of us, - but we all got
plenty of those.
During World War 2, being in a reserved occupation and because of his
eyes, John was not called up, but served in the Auxillary Fire Service,
part time, based on Banney Royd, (now a Teachers Training Centre), and
at Kirklees Hall, the home of Sir John and Lady Armytage (Robin Hood`s
grave is in the grounds of the estate and also buildings many hundred
of years old).
Even now, in retirement, he keeps very busy repairing things for other
people. He is a good gardener and enjoys telling anecdotes just like Dad.
In 1940, John was a patient in the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where
he was cared for by a very efficent staff nurse called Doris Moore, and
was very impressed by her. He said that when she stood sideways, she was
so slim you could not see her !! She weighed 7 stones, - John ended up
marrying her on 8th February 1941.
They started married life at the family home at 19, Imperial Road, Edgerton,
Huddersfield, because of the difficulty in getting accomodation during
the war, and saving us from having more evacuees billeted on us as we
had previously.
Then in 1945, the day before the BIG SNOW, to Grasscroft, near Oldham,
and finally in 1948 moved to Fieldhead Road, Guiseley, near Leeds, where
he and Doris are still living in 1988. They have four children, four grandchildren
and one great grandchild. (see Family Tree).
Roland Whitney Webster. MCSP. HT. DIP.T. 1917 - 1981.
Born 18th January 1917. at Hightown, near Liversedge, Yorkshire. Attended
Huddersfield College, trained in Physiotherapy at the Bristol Royal Infirmary,
and at the Peto Place, Hydrotherapy Hospital, London. After qualifying
as a Chartered Physiotherapist he worked for a few months only at the
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and was called up for Army Service at the
outbreak of World War II in 1939. Because of his training he was posted
to the Royal Army Medical Corps, where N.C.O.`s above him knew considerably
less than he did medically.
After initial training, he went straight out to India to Delali, and Lahore,
to the Military Hospital there (see letters). He was at Dalhousie and
Poona briefly and whilst there treated the Colonel`s wife, who said he
was wasted as a mere Lance Jack. She said "Why not apply for a Commission"
which would mean transferring to another Regiment, as only Doctors can
be Officers in The R.A.M.C. But the day before this was to happen, he
was promoted from Lance Corporal to Staff Sergeant in the R.A.M.C. (Royal
Army Medical Corps). This was unheard of promotion, and really better,
as it meant that he could still do medical work. One of his letters is
enclosed.
He returned to the U.K. and on the 21st May 1945 married Jean Ingamells
Hamer. His home service was spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland and in
Germany with the B.O.A.R.
On being demobbed, he returned to the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, and
the went to the Royal Baths Hospital, Harrogate, and then went to Leeds
to do his Teacher`s Certificate, ultimately becoming the Principal of
the Leeds School of Physiotherapy.
They had twin daughters on the 3rd July 1949, Josephine Lesley, and Elizabeth
Jane. He took early retirement, but did not live to enjoy it as he died
on the 27th July 1981.
In his early days he was very fond of his old Teddy and Mum kept putting
in the dustbin, but he fetched out each time. Betty had it until 1982,
she and Joyce were very impressed that Roland and I could ride their Mum`s
and dad`s bikes when they were too small to do so. These bikes were of
interest, as to brake, one pedalled backwards !!
Roland was a charming, good looking man, tall with fair wavy hair, that
girls always flocked around and was the life and soul of any party and
enjoyed dressing up and dancing as a ` hula hula` girl. He was a keen
athlete and when about 60 years old started skate boarding.
When he was 21 he was refused life insurance as they said he had a heart
murmer and he was always worried about this and he never really got over
the early death of his wife Jean at the age of 52 from kidney disease.
Jean Ingamells Webster, nee Hamer 1919 - 1971.
Born 1919, daughter of Wright Hamer and Ethel of Paddock, Huddersfield.
Was a P.E. teacher and keen athlete, and for a brief period after her
marriage taught at a Borstal School. Married the above Roland W. Webster
on the 21st May 1945 and was the ideal wife for him and a wonderful Mum.
She always kept cool, calm and collected when others got worked up. She
died in 1971.
Letter from R.W. Webster, probably January 1940.
7178193 Pte Webster. R.W. C/O 31st Detachment R.A.M.C. British Military
Hospital, Lahore Cant, Punjab, India.
Dear Mum,
I wish you many happy returns "dearest Moochie". Well, much has happened
in the last few days and I have travelled another 1,300 or 1,400 miles
over India. Certainly I have seen more than most of the natives who live
here. For the first time in my life I have been in hospital for a day
or two !! I arrived at 9.00. a.m. Thursday after a 38 hour train journey
! After a quick brekker and wash we were told to go across to the B.M.H.
(British Military Hospital), to have an interview with the Matron. After
a half hours wait, one of the Sisters came and asked one of us to go with
her. I said I would, and was immediately put to work on the Surgical Ward.
The places that they call wards are very bright and like churches inside.
Each dividing wall being made of stone, 2 feet thick. The doorways everywhere
are the shape of a tunnel entrance, about 20 ft high and four ft wide.
Of course in summer it is imperative coolness, - but in winter it is no
doubt very chilly. Of course I have been used to 80 - 90 degrees heat
the last few weeks and it seemed very cold up here. The lowest temperature
being 48, and the highest 68 deg at this time of the year. I did not feel
too well, and had to sit with a patient for 2 hours who was on the D.L
He`d just had a kidney removed. I felt very chilly and knew it was a bit
of `flu` coming on. I did not get off till 2.00. p.m. and just as I was
departing I was told that I had to go on night duty at 8.00. p.m. I was
dying to get to bed, but first I took my temperature, and found it was
only 100 degs, so decided I`d be O.K. for night work after a few hours
sleep.
At 6.00 p.m. I got up, knew I was worse, so went to see the Reception
Officer, who took my temperature and I thought he said it was 100.2 degrees.
He said if I were you I`d not bother going sick today, see how you are
in the morning, so I agreed, as I knew they wanted me, - I did not want
to create a bad impression the first day. However I looked at the thermometer
and saw it was 102 deg. The result was, I preferred to report NOW, instead
of after a night`s duty in that cold ward. He was not too pleased, but
made out the report and sent me to the Ass. Surgeon who was an Anglo Indian
doctor. He admitted me at once as query Malaria. I ached all over and
had a painful throat. They put me in the dark reception ward for the night,
- again, like a chapel, but this time a dark greyish walls.
The other bloke (R.A.F.) had just been admitted as a `query appendix`.
They lit a fire, so it was a bit better and we had our beds either side.
Nearly all the orderlies are Anglo-Indians, and some being very nice and
others dumbells and a menace! The long and short of the matter is that
I am now out after two days. Three days off work has been granted. I think
it is just a sort of `flu` that has left me with a bad throat. I am confined
to barracks and hope to be quite better in a few days. That septic foot
must have pulled me down. The old elbow suddenly started exudung pus on
the journey up here; luckily I had a few spare dressings in case of an
emergency.
It does seem ridiculous `cos I have`nt done a good days work since I left
home. It must be the changes of climate. Up here it is like an English
winter except for the middle hours of the day. Everything here is flat
and like a desert near by. The town and surrounding covers miles and miles,
- it is so spread out. There is about 100 yards or more between barrack
rooms and buildings etc. Everything is sort of sandy, the usual dust is
the result. It spoils a cycle or car ride completely. Most of the Army
lorries are open and I don`t know how they exist when travelling in convoy.
Still you`d be worse off in a tank!!
The temperature is 115 deg here in summer! Our barrack room is twice as
long as Trinity Church and 3/4 as high. There is a colossal arrangement
slung from the ceiling, and worked by a motor. It is a "punkah" and pieces
of cloth are fixed at points between x and x at regular intervals. When
set in motion the lower part A to B swings like a pendulum and moves about
5 to 6 inches. At every interval corresponding with each bed underneath,
there is placed a cloth fan between xx. ( See diagrams next page )
There are six of these arrangements and each is the length of the width
of Fitzwilliam St. Three down each side of the room. They are about 5
feet wide. When working, they creak away and prevent deep sleep, which
in any case is nearly impossible due to the heat.
The billiard room here is as big and lofty as the nave in Trinity, and
also has two of these "punkah" arrangements. Might be O.K. in summer but
imagine the feeling in winter. The dining hall has six little tables;
that is all, beside the benches. Does it look and feel bleak arriving
on a cold morning after a 38 hour journey. Even the sitting room has the
usual concrete floor. Devlali was snug compared with this !!!
Well I have some good news to tell you tomorrow, but now must go into
my "church" to sleep. Really in one sense it is laughable, if you recall
the inside of St. Pauls, LOndon, - well it is a bit like going to bed
in there. Hugh !! All the male staff, Anglo Indian, and ourselves sleep
in there in two long lines, one down either wall. In the interval between
each bed is one of those huge Gothic openings, 20 feet high, that leads
out to a wide stone passage. Beyond this again is a wide stone veranda,
- fine mesh netting lining all the spaces open to the air. Now you know
why I feel like a "church mouse". Goodnight Mum.
Sunday 12th.
Here I am again, and from where I write I can hear the English announcer
giving out the 8. a.m. news. At least that is what I guess it is, as with
us it is 2. p.m. It is not very clear, so I cannot tell really what he
is saying, -- also the acoustics of the place are none too good due to
the size of everything.
This morning I got up at 8. a.m. after quite a good night`s rest. After
a wash and shave, I went for my brekker at 8.30. Of course Sunday is like
any other day really, as we are attached to a Hospital. I tasted my first
bit of Indian bacon; gosh it was tough !! It is eaten very little out
here, mainly, I should guess, because good stuff cannot be imported from
abroad, - due to war. After brekker I had a game of billiards with one
of the AIs. Some are detestable, but some are very nice. Quite a few are
very handsome and have inherited the good points of both parents. I shall
know a lot more about them before I have finished working amongst them!.
Around a big coal fire several of us had a long talk, there are constantly
a few coming off duty and others going on. One English orderly here hit
something on the road returning on his push bike. A car brought him to
Hospital and of course he did not bother about his hired cycle. Now this
morning he has realised he`ll have to pay 30 rupees for it !!! Luckily
when he hired for a week, he refused to sign its worth as being 50 R.
Thirty was the final decision, so it is not as bad as it might have been
Another got a bite from a dog, and so has got to have injections for 14
days in case it is rabetic. This is very common out here, especially in
the summer, as they soon go mad. Police come out with their rifles and
shoot all they see without a collar on. They get something for each tail
they take back ! There is a Rabies centre in the British Medical Hospital
here.
Now Mum, though there are lots of bad things about this place, there are
plenty of good ones, so I`ll go ahead and record some of them. First we
have two dogs kept by two of the fellows. They just wander anywhere. They
sleep in the barrack room with us. One has a rug on his bosses box to
sleep on, but he prefers the bed!! I don`t blame him. The first afternoon
I lay down I had a surprise when a `Peter` jumped up and settled down
at my feet! Both are nice dogs and short haired. One is a sort of pointer,
black with white patches. The couch in front of the fire is always occupied
by one of them!!
One of the AIs who likes dogs, brought a great big fat sort of dog yesterday
from the road. He was a lovely one and just looked like a young black
bear with little white patches. He thoroughly enjoyed a good romp around
the long slippery stones passages. Of course in the hot season most of
the hospital closes down, with the result that a fair number of us may
go up to the hills. Some may go up for three or four weeks and return,
and let another batch go up and so on. On the other hand you might be
lucky to get away from here for most of the hot weather. Newcomers SHOULD
get the first chance as they are not so acclimatized as the old hands.
Of course we shall breathe a prayer of thankfulness for any cold rooms
they have here.
I was pleased to get the letter the morning I left Devlali. It was dated
27th October and arrived here on the 7th January. Now I must close, so
tons of love to you and everybody. Love to Aunties. Hope to hear again
soon from you.
xxx`s Roland.
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