stuartwilliams.net

by Stuart Williams

Sidney Norman Webster was born at 41 Borneo Street, Walsall on March 9, 1900.  Educated at Chuckery School and Butts School, he was an able student and good all round sportsman, played football and was captain of the Chuckery School First XI.  None of this, however, foreshadowed the great achievements to come when he entered a completely different field – aviation.

Webster left school shortly before the Great War, working as a junior clerk on the railway and then in several other jobs until, aged 17, he joined the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) on September 27, 1918.  Within six months he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.

His first tour of duty was in India, where he was awarded the Air Force Cross for a record endurance flight.  Returning to England, Webster became a test pilot at the experimental establishment, and in April 1927 was selected for the new High Speed Flight which was formed at Felixstowe to provide aircraft and crew for the Schneider Trophy contests.

The Schneider Trophy series were the most famous and prestigious seaplane races ever held. They were started in 1913 by the French Industrialist, Jacques Schneider. 

'Pebbler' Webster stands before the people of Walsall, 6 Oct 1927 (WLHC)

The trophy was a work of art costing 25,000 francs.  The aero club winning 3 races in 5 years would retain the cup and the winning pilot would receive 75,000 francs.  Each race was to be hosted by the previous winning country, supervised by the Fédération  Aéronautique Internationale and the host’s Aero Club. Each club could enter up to three competitors with three alternates.

In 1921, the course was increased to 212 nautical miles, with only one authorised take off, after a 2.5 nautical mile water navigation contest. More than 250,000 spectators gathered to watch.

The 1927 Schneider Trophy race was held at Venice, Italy on September 26. Great Britain, Italy and the U.S.A. entered, but the real competition was between arch rivals Italy and Britain.  The R.A.F. team’s aircraft included two Supermarine S5's, a Gloster IVB and a Bristol Crusader.  One of the S5’s was in the skilled hands of Flight Lieutenant S. N. Webster of Walsall.

A training flight preceding the race itself sadly killed one of the Italian competitors due to engine problems.  Trials also showed the American aircraft would not provide serious competition to the European nations and the team withdrew.   

During an exciting race which saw the forceful flying of the remaining Italian competitor result in a broken fuel pipe which sprayed him with oil and caused him to retire, Flight Lieutenant Webster won in style, flying his S5 at an average speed of 273.01 mph and a fastest lap record of 281.54 mph.

The Supermarine seaplanes (S4, S5, S6 &  S6B) were specially designed by Staffordshire engineer R. J. Mitchell to take part in the Schneider races and

Webster's Supermarine S5 being inspected before the race

were the basis for his famous W.W.II. fighter, the Supermarine Spitfire.  As a result of his win, Webster received a bar to his Air Force Cross, but the greatest honour to come was the unstinting acclaim of his home town of Walsall.

Flt. Lt. Webster’s victory was well received in Walsall.  He received many letters of congratulation from local dignitaries and organisations and his old schools – as well as from the King and the Air Ministry.  Webster returned home, triumphant, on October 6, 1927, and was treated to a grand Civic Reception in Walsall Town Hall, hosted by the Mayor, Alderman Joseph Leckie.  Huge crowds greeted Webster as he travelled by car down Birmingham Road into Walsall, escorted by police on foot and  preceded by an honour guard of soldiers from the Staffordshire Regiment.  Here in his home he was feted as a true local hero, even welcomed by a party of girls, probably from Chuckery School, waving flags and holding up a banner “Bravo! Old Chuck”. 

Before the reception, Webster stood on a podium in front of the Council House in Lichfield Street, together with the mayor and other local dignitaries, where he received a commemorative oak plaque in honour of his victory from Alderman Leckie, and an Illuminated Address from the people of Walsall, who cheered him at great length. In 1930, Webster Road, just around the corner from Walsall Local History Centre, was named after him.

Sidney Norman Webster remained in the RAF, and progressed through the ranks.

 

Webster sits in the civic group between his mother and Mayor Joseph Leckie

During World War II, his experience as a test pilot was put to good use as liaison officer to a group of aircraft manufacturers, and in 1944 he commanded the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment.  In 1945 he was mentioned in despatches, and in 1946 was appointed a Commander in The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Webster also had two spells of duty at Coastal Command. Made an Air Vice Marshal in 1947, he retired in 1950.  Sidney Norman Webster died in April 1984, at the age of 84.  He should always be remembered by Walsall folk as a local lad made good, who put the town on the world map, who helped protect us throughout World War II – and who exemplified that great British spirit of ingenuity, adventure and daring at its best.

 

References:  Walsall Aviation, Edwin Shipley & John W.T. Jeffries; A Walsall Hero of 1927, Jim Boulton (The Blackcountryman, Autumn 1984, Vol 17, No. 4); Walsall Archives.

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