Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MINISTER AND SCOUT MASTER
DEATH OF REV. A.M. WEBB
The death occurred at Riverton on Monday of the Rev. Allan M. Webb, rector of Holy Trinity Church, Riverton, who, besides being loved by his parishioners, was a prominent and respected worker in the Boy Scout movement, and other philanthropic causes. He was a son of Mr. W. B. Webb, a solicitor, of Port Adelaide, and a prominent lay reader. He was born at Exeter 52 years ago, and educated at St. Peter's College and St. Barnabas' College. He was ordained deacon in 1899, and a priest the following year. After successful terms as curate of Crafers, and subsequently of West Adelaide, he accepted the position of incumbent of Orroroo, which embraced a mission district of 300 miles. Services were conducted at twelve centres. After three years of strenuous work during a drought period, Mr. Webb's health made it necessary for him to have a change. He accepted a call to Riverton, where he resided for more than 23 years. During that time be earned the love and esteem of all sections of the community, and was a keen towns-man, being associated with the Memorial Hospital, Institute, Primary and High Schools, the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' League, and all social matters. He was rural dean of Clare from January, 1926, until December. 1928. He was particularly interested in the welfare of boys, and was a scout master for more than 19 years. He formed the first patrol in the town with six boys in June, 1909, and was appointed scout-master in November of the same year. The troop was formed in March, 1910, with two patrols, Curlews and Owls. There are now four patrols, Curlews, Owls, Lions, and Kangaroos, and several mounted and cyclist scouts. Since the formation of the troop approximately 400 boys have passed through it. At the time of Mr. Webb's death he was a district commissioner. A tribute to his work was paid by Sir Alfred Pickford during his visit in 1923. Mr. Webb was one of the few scoutmasters in the State who held English warrants. He received his in January, 1911 from Sir Robert Baden-Powell, World Chief Scout. In December, 1912, he was appointed district scoutmaster. In 1920 he was invested with the Silver Wolf, the highest distinction obtainable in the movement, by Sir Henry Galway, who was then Governor of the State. He accompanied the boys to the Melbourne corroboree in 1923, and had charge of the country troops at the Adelaide corroboree a year later. He performed a similar duty at the celebrations in honor of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1927. He went with the South Australian contingent of Boy Scouts to the Imperial Jamboree at Wembley, England, in 1924, and while there he passed through the Gilwell Park training camp, and obtained the coveted Wood Badge. He was one of the clergy who assisted the Bishop of Kensington at a special service for scouts attending the Wembley Jamboree.Mr. Webb served as padre with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt and Palestine during 1917 and 1918, until he was invalided home. He was a prominent Freemason, being past master of Wooroora Lodge, Riverton, and a subscribing past master of St. Peter's College Lodge. The Rev. A. S. Webb, who recently resigned the charge of Kadina, and Mr. A. Webb (associate to Mr. Justice Napier), are brothers, and Mrs. N. R. Nicholl, of St. Peters, is a sister.
​
The Advertiser Tuesday 14 May 1929 page 24