Colonel William Holden Webb, (8/5/1843-11/5/1914). "well known and highly respected"

OBITUARY

COLONEL WEBB. 

The death occurred at Nelson to-day of Colonel William Holden Webb, who was well known in the Otago District, where he commanded the Volunteer Force for many years. He was born at Essendon, Herts, England, on May 8, 1843, and was the eldest son of the Rev. R. H. Webb, rector of Essendon. He was married in India in 1873 to a daughter of Majorgeneral A. G. Davidson. The late colonel was educated at Marlborough College and at the Hon. East India Company's Military College, Addiscombe. He obtained his first commission as ensign on June 8, 1861, and joined the 3rd Bombay European Regiment at Kurrachee, afterwards the 2nd Battalion Leicester Regiment. He was promoted lieutenant in 1867, and was adjutant to his regiment for seven years prior to his retirement in 1878. He afterwards returned to England, and came to New Zealand in August, 1878. He was appointed district adjutant on January 1, 1880, and served in that capacity in the districts of Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland until January, 1891, when he was promoted to the command of the Otago district, with rank of lieutenant-colonel. He commanded this district until September, 1901, when he was transferred to the command of the Canterbury district. He was promoted to brevet-colonel, N.Z.M., in January, 1902, and in 1903 he was transferred to the command of the Wellington district. On August 1, 1903, he was appointed president of the Central Board of Military Examination, and was gazetted acting commandant of the New Zealand Forces from September 22, 1906, in succession to Major-general Babington. On December 19, 1906, he was appointed secretary and member of the Council of Defence, and was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New Zealand Militia. Colonel Webb retired from the Service some time later, and took up his residence in Nelson. He had been in ill-health for some time past. The deceased gentleman was well known and highly respected in this part of the Dominion. He lived at St. Clair for a number of years. He leaves a widow and a large family.  -Evening Star, 11/5/1914.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.