45004 Brigadier George Clifford WEBB, CBE, DSO, MiD, Royal Tank Regiment: 14/04/1945

Personal Number: 45004
Rank: Brigadier
Name: George Clifford WEBB, CBE, DSO, MiD
Unit: Royal Tank Regiment


London Gazette : 31 January 1930
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33575/page/652/data.pdf
The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the Royal Military College, to be 2nd Lts. 30th Jan. 1930: —
ROYAL TANK CORPS.
George Clifford WEBB.

London Gazette : 1 April 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35120/supplement/1868/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period August, 1939, to November, 1940:—
To be Additional Members of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
Captain (temporary Major) George Clifford Webb (45004), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

London Gazette : 15 December 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35821/supplement/5438/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941, to April, 1942: —
R.T.R.
Capt. (temp. Maj.) (actg. Lt.-Col.) G. C. Webb, M.B E. (45004).

London Gazette : 25 November 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36261/page/5171/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:—
To be Additional Commanders of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
Brigadier (temporary) George Clifford Webb, M.B.E. (45004), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

London Gazette : 24 August 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36668/supplement/3925/data.pdf
The KING has been,graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy:—
The Distinguished Service Order
Major (temporary Brigadier) George Clifford Webb, C.B.E. (45004), Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (Gillingham, Kent).

 

Recommendation for Award for Webb, George Clifford Rank: Captain Regiment: ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/75/798
Name Webb, George Clifford
Rank: Captain
Regiment: Royal Tank Regiment, Headquarters 4 Armoured Brigade
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 01 April 1941

Recommended or OBE
Awarded MBE

 

London Gazette : 15 December 1942
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35821/supplement/5437/data.pdf

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35821/supplement/5438/data.pdf

 

Recommendation for Award for Webb, George Clifford Rank: Major Service No: ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/77/341
Name Webb, George Clifford
Rank: Major
Service No: 45004
Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Tank Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 25 November 1943

 

Recommendation for Award for Webb, George Clifford Rank: Temporary Brigadier ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/7/276
Name Webb, George Clifford
Rank: Temporary Brigadier
Service No: 45004
Regiment: D.A and QMG Head Quarters 10 Corps
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 24 August 1944

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2101283/george-clifford-webb/
BRIGADIER GEORGE CLIFFORD WEBB
Service Number: 45004
Regiment & Unit: General Staff
Secondary Unit: Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Date of Death: 14 April 1945
Age 39 years old
Buried or commemorated at HANOVER WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: 7. B. 18.
Location: Germany
Awards: Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Additional Info: Son of John and Clara Webb; husband of Barbara Stammer Webb, of Canterbury, Kent.
Personal Inscription: IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY

 

See also:

• Biography of Brigadier George Clifford Webb (1905 – 1945), Great Britain
• Brig George Clifford Webb (1905-1945) - Find a...

 

Hi Diane - this caught my attention as the date of his death and burial in Hannover CWGC cemetery is very much within my area of interest. I had not heard of Brig Webb before and the fact that he died in action is intriguing. Do you know anything about his death and his appointment? I assume he was a staff officer as I don’t think any brigade commanders were killed at that time. Intriguing. BW. John

 

Sorry, I've nothing after DA&QMG 10 Corps, Italy and then, as you've probably noted from CWGC, General Staff, originally buried Diepholz.

(This is one of my MiD lists - once I stumble across one for a unit, I feel compelled to complete them all and this one has a few individuals with an interesting service history.
Was difficult finding anything other than basics on internet: linked above. In fact I couldn't find the second Mention as per CWGC entry. The Previous Awards listing on CBE & DSO gives date of 15 December 1941 and I could only find the one - 15 December 1942)

 

D - many thanks. My hunch is that he was possibly killed in a Luftwaffe raid as it was active against enemy transport columns in this area at this time. I will do some investigations…

 

Your hunch isn't right John, sorry. He was killed when his jeep hit a tree. Apparently it was thrown off course by a pothole.

 

Aw shucks! Perhaps the driver missed seeing the pothole as he was taking avoiding action during a Luftwaffe raid?!
Given the frequency and size of the potholes in Wiltshire there is every chance of history repeating itself. Anyhow, many thanks Gareth. I am awaiting information from the RTR so perhaps we might learn more. A sad ending for clearly a very able officer.

 

The info you will get from the RTR is the same as the above. I am their historian - it's me they come to when they get enquiries such as yours. I have tried to find out more but killed when his Jeep hit a pothole and ran into a tree is all I can offer. As for the source of that, good question, and one that I can't answer right this second.

 

Well I never! Tell Dean not to bother replying to my request! Do you know what appointment the brigadier held at the time of his death? I assume it might have been a post within HQ XXX Corps. What a sad ending.

 

DAA & QMG XXX Corps.