Army Number: n/a

Battalion: 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Awards: M.C (Military Cross), D.S.O. (Distinguished Service Order)

Born at Liverpool. Son of Mrs J.M.A Webster 10B Princes Road, Liverpool. He was engaged in business in Bombay, India, at the outbreak of the war and joined the Indian Expeditionary Force as a motor despatch rider serving on the Western Front. He obtained a commission into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, in February 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal Temp Lieut. Temp Captain: 1st Battalion attached 17th (Welbeck Rangers) Battalion: London Gazette. 25th August 1916, For conspicuous gallantry in action, at La Boisselle on 5th July 1916. Though wounded early in the day, he continued to lead his men. He attacked a party of enemy bombers alone and unsupported and repeatedly led his men over the open in the hand-to-hand fighting which lasted several hours. Also, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, emp Capt. Acting Major: 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion: London Gazette 26th November 1917, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bulgar Wood, Ypres, Belgium, on 20/21st September 1917, when in command of a Battalion in the attack. When a strong point, manned by four machine guns, had been passed over by the leading troops in the attack, he promptly organised a party and led it to the capture of the strong point. He then led his Battalion forward in the advance and, in spite of serious opposition, took all his objectives and held them against three enemy counter-attacks. The remarkable dash and determination of his Battalion during the operations were mainly due to his splendid example and leadership: He was killed in action, on 22nd March 1918 at Tincourt Wood, France.

Commemorated: Pozieres Memorial, France. Panel 52 – 54.

Lieutenant Colonel John Ryrie Webster is also commemorated on the following local memorials:-
Liverpool Town Hall War Memorial, Liverpool.