Lieutenant Henry Webber of the 7th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment who was Mentioned in Despatches died of wounds received at Mametz Wood on July 21, 1916 aged 68.
He had previously lived in Horley and was a member of the London Stock Exchange for over 40 years.
Lieutenant Henry Webber received his commission on 26 July 1915 aged 66 – he lied about his age knocking off 10 years.
With his battalion he took part in the opening phases of the Somme including the capture of La Boiselle on 3 July 1916. Two weeks later, on 17 July he wrote to a friend:
"Fifty one years ago I got my colours in the XI and last week 51 years ago was bowling against the old boys and looking on some of them as "sitters" and in the "sere and yellow leaf".
"Yet here I am a Lieutenant in HM army having to salute three sons if I meet them out here, a Colonel and two Majors.
"I am 1st Line Transport Officer to this Battalion and we have been plumb in the centre of the picture during the last ten days and gained no end of "kudos" and also a very severe mauling.
"I am so far extraordinarily fit and well, though, when I tell you that for four consecutive days I was either on my feet or in the saddle for twenty one hours, out of twenty four, you will see that there is a bit of work attached to the job.
