Edward Webb
Jan 12, 2013 20:27:11 GMT
Post by shred on Jan 12, 2013 20:27:11 GMT
SECOND World War veteran Edward Webb has finally revealed the full extent of his heroic action after more than 65 years.
Edward, 86, was awarded the Military Medal for fighting off scores of Germans at Villa Grande in Italy in 1942.
But for years the great-grandfather from Higher Broughton, Salford, kept quiet about his adventures.
It was not until his family uncovered details about his medal citation that the truth came out.
Now 65 years later he has returned to the 8th Manchester Regiment’s barracks in Ardwick Green, to re-live his story with other veterans.
It was in 1942 at Villa Grande, in Italy that Private Webb of the Eighth Manchester’s, armed only with a machine gun, single-handedly fought off enemy fire for three hours.
He said: "I remember seeing them but they didn’t see me. They hit all the others, nearly all of them were my friends so I did what I had to. It was tough."
After the war, Edward re-enlisted in the regular army, rising to the rank of sergeant and finally retired in 1967, going on to join the Territorial Army.
He steadfastly refused to talk about his war record and it was only when his late wife Lily wrote off for a copy of the medal citation 20 years ago that the family ‘secret’ began to come out.
His son Eddie, 57, said: "He always said ‘I’ll tell you when you get older son,’ and that was up until I was 50.
"Then, when his niece started looking up on the internet the full story came out.
"After he had fended off the Germans, his commanding officer was so impressed with his courage, he got 20 other officers to sign the papers recommending him for the Military Medal. When we walked in to meet all the other old soldiers at Ardwick, they started clapping.
"He didn’t realise it was for him - he’s so modest."
Edward received his medal from Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, in 1944 in a ceremony at Dunham Massey.
King George VI, who was unable to perform the ceremony, sent the war hero a personal letter.
Mr Webb was married to Lily for 54 years, until her death three years ago and they had three children.
Eddie Webb currently has the Military Medal and more of his father’s papers, and intends eventually to pass them on to the regimental museum at Ashton.
Link
Edward, 86, was awarded the Military Medal for fighting off scores of Germans at Villa Grande in Italy in 1942.
But for years the great-grandfather from Higher Broughton, Salford, kept quiet about his adventures.
It was not until his family uncovered details about his medal citation that the truth came out.
Now 65 years later he has returned to the 8th Manchester Regiment’s barracks in Ardwick Green, to re-live his story with other veterans.
It was in 1942 at Villa Grande, in Italy that Private Webb of the Eighth Manchester’s, armed only with a machine gun, single-handedly fought off enemy fire for three hours.
He said: "I remember seeing them but they didn’t see me. They hit all the others, nearly all of them were my friends so I did what I had to. It was tough."
After the war, Edward re-enlisted in the regular army, rising to the rank of sergeant and finally retired in 1967, going on to join the Territorial Army.
He steadfastly refused to talk about his war record and it was only when his late wife Lily wrote off for a copy of the medal citation 20 years ago that the family ‘secret’ began to come out.
His son Eddie, 57, said: "He always said ‘I’ll tell you when you get older son,’ and that was up until I was 50.
"Then, when his niece started looking up on the internet the full story came out.
"After he had fended off the Germans, his commanding officer was so impressed with his courage, he got 20 other officers to sign the papers recommending him for the Military Medal. When we walked in to meet all the other old soldiers at Ardwick, they started clapping.
"He didn’t realise it was for him - he’s so modest."
Edward received his medal from Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, in 1944 in a ceremony at Dunham Massey.
King George VI, who was unable to perform the ceremony, sent the war hero a personal letter.
Mr Webb was married to Lily for 54 years, until her death three years ago and they had three children.
Eddie Webb currently has the Military Medal and more of his father’s papers, and intends eventually to pass them on to the regimental museum at Ashton.
Link
