8:14am Monday 25th February 2008
BOB Webb, a resident of Battleton Road, Evesham, has died peacefully in Evesham hospital after short illness, aged 89.
Born in Ramsgate, Kent, in 1919, Bob was the first born child of Bill and Ethel Webb. The family moved to New Road, Hampton, in the early 1920s Educated firstly at Hampton and then at Evesham Council school, Bob on leaving school, became an assistant projectionist at the Regal cinema, where he also met his wife-to-be Cynthia.
In the early days of the Second World War, he followed family tradition and joined the Royal Navy and was deployed to HMS Scimitar, where he rose from an able seaman to Petty Officer.
The Scimitar, originally a convey escort boat, was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation. Later having been converted to an anti- submarine vessel, clashes with German U boats became a regular part of the convoy escort duties.
It was during one such exercise in June 1941 that actions taken by Bob to detect and direct depth charges onto a German U -Boat, which was attacking an allied convoy, resulted in it being sunk. For his part in this exercise, which probably saved many allied lives, ships and cargo, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), which he later received from King George VI in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
During a rare respite from action, Bob married his long term sweetheart Cynthia May Wilson at St Andrews Church, Hampton, in 1943.
Following his demob, Bob returned to his job at the Regal cinema, before later transferring to the Clifton as head projectionist. He became expert at the operation of the projection equipment, and prided himself on the speed at which he could repair a broken film against a background of boos and catcalls from the auditorium.
The author of a recently compiled archive of early cinematography in the town commended Bob for his vast knowledge of the early days of the presentation of moving pictures.
In 1951, the need to spend time with his wife and young family, (sons Alan and Maurice), made Bob leave the unsocial hours as a projectionist, to join British Rail as a booking clerk at Evesham station.
It is this period that Evesham people who used the railway will probably remember him best, as they soon appreciated his ability to quickly sort out an accurately scheduled train route to any part of the country.
This was probably the happiest part of his working life, and he made many friends among the regular customers even though some only ever new him as either Bob or that "helpful chap" at the station.
In 1966, the reduction in train services necessitated Bob making a final career move and after fifteen years with British rail, he became a clerical assistant, and eventually a departmental administration manager at Dowty Meco in Worcester.
Bob retired in 1981 but continued to visit the many friends he had made in Worcester. He became an active member of the Dowty Meco pensioners group His retirement also allowed him to spend more time, tending his garden, making wine, and visiting his old naval colleagues all over the country.
The adoption of HMS Scimitar by Pershore, and the setting up of an HMS Scimitar exhibition in the Town Hall, enabled Bob to meet up again with his old commanding officer Captain Franks, and many other old comrades form the war. Bob's medals, including his DSM, form part of the current exhibition.
In the late eighties, Bob nursed his wife through the ever worsening effects of diabetes even,tually losing her in1989.
He then offered his service as a regular hospital car driver and even in his early eighties was still taking "old people" to hospital.
Bob will be remembered by his family and many friends alike, for his wise counsel, and willingness to give a helping hand whenever and wherever it was needed.
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