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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 285

A 'Red Dragon Crater' Memorial Plaque presented to the family of Lance-Corporal J. J. Webb, 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers killed on 22 June 1916 when a German Mine was detonated beneath their trenches outside Givenchy

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (John Joseph Webb), set in a bronze frame, good very fine

John Joseph Webb was born at Barry, Glamorgan in April 1895, the son of George and Rebecca Webb of 38 Princes Street, Barry. He worked as a milkman prior to enlistment although may also spent time with the Barry Railway Company. Attesting with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 9 November 1915 he joined the war in France on 28 April 1916 and reached 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion on 7 May. Promoted Lance-Corporal on 19 June he was present in the trenches at the time of the Givenchy mine.

The German sappers detonated the mine they had placed under the trenches outside Givenchy at 02:00 on 22 June 1916. It exploded directly beneath a stretch of trench manned by 'B' Company, which lost some two thirds of its compliment in a single moment. The stunned survivors were in no positon to repel the trench raid which followed but fortunately the Battalion rallied to aid its beleaguered comrades and a force led by Captain Stanway drove them off. In honour of that engagement the crater left by the mine was christened 'Red Dragon Crater'.

At the time 254 Tunnelling Company had been at work counter-mining in the same area. Many of their number where trapped by the blast and were only reached days later by rescue diggers. Four of these men were found two days after the blast and when it was found that one was too injured to be moved another, Sapper William Hackett refused to leave him there alone. Hackett remained with his injured comrade while further efforts were made to rescue them but they were unsuccessful and both men perished. Hackett was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Webb was listed as missing on 5 March 1917 it was officially reported that he had died in the explosion. His body was not found and he is remembered on the Loos Memorial; sold together with copied research including Service Records, Commonwealth War Graves Details and typed research on the Givenchy mine.

Further entitled to the British War and Victory Medals.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£40