The Rev. C. F. Webster, was appointed Chaplain of HMNZS Leander in October 1941. He served on the Leander during her subsequent operations in the South Pacific and in the Battle of Kolombangara, in the Solomon Islands, in which the ship was torpedoed and so badly damaged that she had to return to Auckland for extensive repairs, subsequently proceeding to Boston in the United States for a complete refit. Mr. Webster was appointed to HMNZS Achilles when she recommissioned in England and he was serving on her at the time of his death by illness on HM Hospital Ship No.3, Trinomial, Sri Lanka at Trincomalee on 13 November 1944. A most efficient and conscientious chaplain, he earned the deep respect of all ranks, particularly for his good work when the Leander was torpedoed in action in the Solomons. Of his service on that occasion the commanding officer of the Leander wrote: ‘Mr. Webster was in the main dressing station in action. On the ship being damaged he immediately asked permission to proceed to the scene of the damage where he did good work among the injured. For the rest of the night and the following day he attended tirelessly on the wounded and dying, performing his priestly duties with marked devotion and his medical duties with efficiency. He set a good example to all around him.’ The casualties in the Leander in this action were twenty-eight killed and fifteen wounded.
Rev. C. F. Webster, (C of E); born England, 2 Dec 1910; Vicar of Mangaweka 1938–41; Chaplain, New Zealand Military Forces , Foxton Camp 1940–41; appointed Chaplain, RNZN and served in HMNZS Leander 25 Oct 1941–21 Jan 1944; HMNZS Achilles 22 Jan-9 Nov 1944; died Trincomalee, 13 Nov 1944.
In Memory of
Chaplain The Rev. CLAUDE FRANCIS WEBSTER
H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles, Royal New Zealand Navy
born Wiltshire, England
2 September 1910
died age 33
on 13 November 1944
Remembered with honour
TRINCOMALEE WAR CEMETERY SRI LANKA
Grave/Memorial Reference:2.C.15
Commemorated in perpetuity by
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The World War Two Memorial found in St Martin's on the Close