Fallen soldier honoured in Dilton Marsh display

A memorial plaque and war medals belonging to a Dilton Marsh soldier who died in World War I are now on display in the village.

The plaque, known as a ‘Death Penny’, and the medals were donated to Dilton Memorial Hall by family members of Albert Charles Webb, who was killed in action on 30th September 1918.

Albert lived in Dilton Marsh until he enlisted in 1916, aged 37. He was working as a leather dresser at the Leigh Leather Work Company, which had applied for exemption from war service for a number of its employees.

The application for Albert was dismissed and he joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorset Regiment.

After his death in France, his family received the ‘Death Penny’, a bronze medallion issued to the next of kin of British and Empire service personnel who died during World War I.

More than 1.3 million plaques were distributed, bearing the inscription ‘He died for freedom and honour’, along with the individual’s name, rank and unit.

Sisters Lorrae Allford, Sonia Turner and Julie Smith, whose stepfather, Sidney White, was Albert’s grandson, promised him they would remember Albert every year at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony by placing a poppy cross at the War Memorial in Dilton Marsh.

They have donated Albert’s plaque and war medals, which are now on display at the hall, built in 1921 in memory of the village’s fallen men.

Albert’s name is also inscribed on the War Memorial in the heart of Dilton Marsh.

Information about Albert was researched and produced by Lynne Vercoe from the Westbury branch of the Wiltshire Family History Society as part of its ‘Those Who Served in World War I’ project.

Residents who have items they would like to display at the hall can contact the trustees by emailing dmhtrustees@gmail.com.

The community will gather at the village War Memorial for the annual Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony at 11am on Sunday 8th November.

Afterwards, refreshments and a tabletop sale will be held at Dilton Memorial Hall, organised by parents and carers from the Little Marshians toddler group.

Dilton Memorial Hall Management Committee member Kathy Hutt said, “Do come along to support Little Marshians and take a look at Albert’s Penny and medals.”

Pictured: Lorrae Allford, Sonia Turner and Julie Smith