The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. J T Webster

John Terence Webster was born in Grassendale, Liverpool in mid-1916, the son of John Herbert Webster and Charlotte Annie Webster (nee Morris). His parents were from Rostrevor, Northern Ireland.

He was educated at Parkfield Prep School then Liverpool College. He was Captain of the college shooting team and represented Britain in a schools shooting competition in Canada in 1933.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training on 26th August 1935. He was posted to 11 FTS Wittering on 2nd November and with his training completed he joined 17 Squadron at Kenley on 11th May 1936.

Webster went to 80 Squadron at its reformation at Kenley on 8th March 1937, moved to 29 Squadron at Debden on 25th March 1938 and then to 41 Squadron at Catterick on 11th April 1938.

He had married Lilian Hypatia Garland Mogg in October 1937 in Bristol.

He was appointed 'B' Flight Commander on 25th May 1939 and was promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant on 19th September 1939 with effect from 25th May.

Webster probably destroyed a He115 floatplane SE of Whitby on 17th December 1939.

Over Dunkirk on 31st May 1940 Webster claimed a Me109 destroyed and shared a He111 and on 1st June he shot down a Ju88 and probably another.

During the night of 19th/20th June he probably destroyed a He111 over Teesmouth. On 27th July Webster destroyed a Me109 and on the 28th he is believed to have severely damaged two Me109s of JG51.

The first landed back at Wissant, with the pilot unhurt. The second made a belly-landing beyond the French coast and was written off. The pilot, Major W Molders, was wounded.

On the 29th Webster destroyed a Me109 and damaged a Ju87. His Spitfire, N3113, was damaged in an action off Dover and he crashed on landing back at Manston.

On 5th August Webster damaged a He111, on the 8th he shot down three Me109s and shared another and on 5th September he destroyed two more.

Later on this day Webster collided with F/Lt. RE Lovett who was descending in his damaged Hurricane P3204. Webster baled out but fell dead. His Spitfire, R6635, crashed in flames opposite Markham Chase School, Laindon.

There is a detailed account of the very confused combats that took place at this time here.

Lovett baled out safely but was killed two days later.

Webster was 24 and was cremated at Darlington Crematorium, County Durham. His ashes were scattered over the Irish Sea.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 30th August 1940).

Above images courtesy of Dimitrios Corcodilos.