Apr-08-18
 | | Tabanus: Obituary in Cheltenham Chronicle, 26 October 1935, p. 7: <DEATH OF MR. R. J. WEBB. WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN IN CHELTENHAM. Mr. Roland Julian Webb, joint managing director and secretary of Messrs. Webb Bros., Ltd., land agents, coal merchants and brickmakers, of Cheltenham, has died in a Birmingham nursing home in his 71st year. Mr. Webb, who was a very well-known man in the commercial life of Cheltenham, had for many years past lived at Edgbaston, but came to Cheltenham two or three times a week to take his part in the business of Webb Bros, Ltd., of which house his brother, Mr. Harold A. Webb, was his co-director. He had been ill for some months, and was for a time in a nursing home at Swansea, and afterwards at a similar home at Birmingham. He had undergone operations, and was expecting to undergo a "clearing-up" operation about a month hence. As recently as Saturday he was able to write to his brother, Mr. Harold Webb, and his death, on Sunday, was very unexpected. Mr. Webb was one of the five sons of the late Mr. William John Webb, a very well-known Cheltenham man; and he formed the company, Webb Bros. Ltd., in 1897, to take over the private business of H. A. and R. J. Webb, and to acquire the freeholds of the Battledown Brick and Terra Cotta Co., Ltd. MANY POSITIONS. Among many positions from time to time held by him, were those of treasurer of the Cotswold Hills Golf Club, director of the Cheltenham Land Co., Ltd.; and director of the Cotswold Hills Golf House Co., Ltd. He was one of the founders of the Cheltenham Coal Merchants' Association, and several times its president, and a popular member of the Cheltenham Chess Club. He was an excellent chess player. In his earlier years he was joint lessee with his brother of the Montpellier and Winter Gardens, and in this capacity, between 40 and 50 years ago, the brothers Webb were responsible for the first appearance of the famous Madame Patti in the town and of Mrs. Patrick Campbell in her first professional appearance. His company's large share in the erection of the Cheltenham Colonnade may also be recalled, they being responsible for the building of four of the houses. A man of considerable culture, Mr. Webb, in joint authorship with Mr. J. L. Richardson, the Cheltenham geologist, compiled a book relative to brickmaking, entitled "Brick-making and Brick-earths of Gloucestershire." He was a member of the Institute of Clayworkers, and studied brickmaking in the U.S.A. as well as in England. A much-travelled man, he had also visited Russia, Sweden, the Canary Isles, Madeira, Canada, Ceylon, the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China and other countries. IN PITTVILLE PAGEANT. By the survivors of that great and happy band who staged the ever-memorable pageant at Pittville, in 1908, he will be remembered as the "Mr. Moreau" of the Cheltenham episode. In 1894 Mr. Webb married the only daughter of George Dickson, of Liverpool, manager of the New Jersey Asbestos Co., of the U.S.A., and by whom he is survived, as also by one son, Dr. Eric Webb, of Swansea. One of a long family of brothers and sisters, Mr. Roland Webb is the first of the brothers to pass on to the other side. Surviving members of the family are Mr. Harold A. Webb (his co-director), Mr. Wilfred Webb, retired managing director and chief engineer for Crossleys, Ltd., the famous engineering firm; Dr. Gerald Webb, of Colorado Springs, U.S.A., who was physician to the late President Roosevelt and a lieutenant-colonel in the American Army in Europe during the War; Mr. Frank Webb, solicitor and magistrates clerk, West Hartlepool; Mrs. Clarkson, widow of Mr. Archibald Clarkson, of Leicester; Mrs. Edmonds Owen, widow the Rev. Edmonds Owen, of Builth Wells; and Mrs. Davies, wife of the Rev. Singers Davies, formerly vicar of Llandrindod Wells. The remains of Mr. Roland Webb were cremated on Wednesday at the Perry Barr Crematorium, Birmingham. Owing to illness Mr. Harold A. Webb, brother and fellow director, of Webb Bros., Ltd., was unable to attend, but was represented by his two sons, Messrs. Rupert H. Webb and John le P. Webb. Among the mourners were Dr. Eric Webb (son); Mr. Wilfred le P. Webb (brother); Mr. Frank W. J. Webb (brother); Mr. Rupert H. Webb (nephew); Mr. John le P. Webb (nephew); Commander H. H. Wilkins, R.N., Mr. H. G. Montgomery, J.P., Mr. Walter Edwards. J.P., Mr. E. Hutchinson, Mr. William Grice, Mrs. Roland Muscott, Mr. M. Cox, and Mr. T. W. Williams. The interment will take place at Cheltenham Cemetery.> |
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