Richard Arthur Webber – Mercantile Marine - S.S. Sandhurst

 Steward Richard Arthur Webber – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sandhurst

Early Life and Family Background

Richard Arthur Webber was born in 1872 in Swansea, the son of Joseph Andrew Webber and Anne Anderson.

1881 Census

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family were living at 31 Hewson Street, Swansea. Joseph, aged 43 and born in Devon, worked as a Journeyman Chronometer Maker and Ship’s Compass Adjuster, while Cardiff-born Anne, aged 42, managed the household. Their children were Walter W. H. (15), a Watchmaker’s Apprentice; James S. (13); Frederick W. (11); Richard A. (9), and Ann Elizabeth (6), all attending school, along with Sydney H. (3).

1891 Census

By the 1891 Census, the Webber family had moved to 87 Oxford Street, Swansea. Joseph, now 53, continued his profession as a Watchmaker, and Anne was 52. Their children still living at home were Walter W. H. (25), working as a Watchmaker Painter; James S. (23), a Watchmaker Assistant; Frederick R. W. (21), a Cabinetmaker; Richard A. (19), employed as a Watchmaker Assistant; Anne E. (16), a Shop Assistant, and Sydney A. (13), who remained in school.

In 1899, Richard married Martha Poole, who had been previously widowed. After his marriage, Richard continued his maritime career, eventually serving in the Mercantile Marine during the First World War.

Service at Sea – Steward, S.S. Sandhurst

Richard Webber served as a Steward aboard the S.S. Sandhurst, a role that placed him among the ship’s service staff responsible for assisting the officers and maintaining provisions, accommodation areas, and general crew welfare. Stewards were vital aboard merchant ships, particularly in wartime, ensuring that essential daily functions continued smoothly despite the ever-present danger of submarine attack.

On 6^th May 1918, the Sandhurst came under attack from the German submarine UB-72 and was sunk with significant loss of life. Richard Arthur Webber was among those who perished, leaving no known grave but the sea.

S.S. Sandhurst

The S.S. Sandhurst was a British merchant steamship operating in coastal and near-continental routes during the First World War. Ships like the Sandhurst carried essential cargoes—including food, coal, and wartime supplies—at a time when Britain depended heavily on merchant shipping for survival. Often unarmed or only lightly armed, such vessels were particularly vulnerable to the growing threat of German U-boats patrolling the Western Approaches and English Channel.

In May 1918, during one of the most dangerous periods of the war at sea, the Sandhurst was intercepted and torpedoed by UB-72. She sank rapidly, highlighting the deadly efficiency of German submarine warfare and the perilous conditions faced daily by merchant seamen like Richard Webber.

German Submarine UB-72

UB-72 was a Type UB III submarine of the Imperial German Navy, commissioned in 1917. Designed for long-range patrols, she carried five torpedo tubes, one deck gun, and a complement of around 34 men. The submarine operated in the English Channel and Western Approaches, regions heavily trafficked by Allied merchant vessels.

UB-72 was responsible for sinking several ships during her service, including the S.S. Sandhurst on 6^th May 1918. Her aggressive patrols formed part of Germany’s intensified submarine campaign aimed at cutting off Britain’s maritime lifelines. UB-72 was later sunk on 12^th May 1918, just days after destroying the Sandhurst, when she was torpedoed by the Royal Navy submarine HMS D4 near Cherbourg, with all hands lost.

Commemoration

S.S. Sandhurst
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

With no known grave but the sea, Richard Arthur Webber is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. This memorial honours the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine and Merchant Navy who died during both World Wars and have no known resting place. His name stands beside those of other Swansea mariners who lost their lives in service of Britain’s wartime maritime effort.

Legacy

The loss of Richard Arthur Webber illustrates the enormous risks faced by merchant sailors during the First World War. Serving aboard unarmed or lightly armed vessels in waters dominated by U-boats required courage and commitment. Richard’s service as a Steward, supporting life aboard ship under constant threat, reflects the vital but often overlooked role played by civilian mariners. His legacy endures through his commemoration on the Tower Hill Memorial and through continued remembrance in Swansea’s maritime history.