War hero's medals bought for tribute

Buy photos » Ian Miller, a medal collector and researcher, with Worcester’s Deputy Mayor Pat Agar and the collection of medals. Picture by Marcus Mingins 4412004MMR. Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com

THE SECOND World War medals of Worcester's former town clerk who was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry have gone on display next to his portrait at the city's Guildhall.

The medals of the late Bertram Webster went under the hammer at an auction earlier this year and were snapped up by the city council for £2,000 to create a permanent tribute to a man who served as town clerk for nearly 30 years from 1949 to 1978.

His portrait by the eminent Worcester artist E Waldron West was presented to the city in 1988 by his two children Peter and Peggy a few months after his death aged 73.

“Bertram Webster was very popular both with colleagues and members of the public. He was a great lover of tradition and cited 14 royal visits to Worcester and the Freedom ceremony for Winston Churchill among the highlights of his career,” Worcester Mayor Councillor Roger Berry said.

Mr Webster, who lived in Bransford Road, gained Master of Arts and Law degrees at Cambridge and worked in local government in Stockport, West Bromwich and Norwich before coming to Worcester as the town clerk.

He was awarded the Military Cross while he was serving as a major in the Royal Artillery in Italy, but refused to recount the incident that led to the medal - dismissing it with the comment: “It must have been for keeping a sense of humour.”

He was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s 1975 Birthday Honours for his long and distinguished service to local government.

Regional news »