Mr Richard Guy Webb

Te Ao Hou, March 1966, Page 64

Mr Richard Guy Webb Mr Richard Guy Webb, until recently principal of Te Aute College, died last December in Napier. He was 59. Mr Webb had been principal of the college since 1951. He retired a few months ago after 40 years in the teaching profession, because of ill health. Highly regarded in the teaching profession, Mr Webb served overseas with distinction in World War II and gave many years to the administration of sport and service organisations. In 1926 he entered the Canterbury University College, now the University of Canterbury, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts. In 1928 he became a foundation member of the staff of the Rotorua High School. While he was there he studied and graduated Master of Arts, and continued to teach at the school until the outbreak of World War II. Mr Webb volunteered for service and went into camp in 1940 as an officer of the 24th Battalion. He went to the Middle East with the 3rd Echelon in August of that year. During service in Grecce he was appointed second-in-command of his battalion and later given command of B Company with the rank of major. Following a tour of duty as officer in charge of the tactical training school and then a field maintenance centre, he rejoined his old battalion and in November 1942 he assumed control of the battalion. He was taken prisoner at El Agheila, and spent three years as a prisoner of war. He returned to New Zealand in 1945 and rejoined the staff of the Rotorua High School, remaining there until taking up his post at Te Aute. In Rotorua Mr Webb was active in sporting administration. He was secretary of the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Cricket Associations. He served 14 years on the Rotorua Rugby Sub-Union, including a period as president. He was a vice-president of the Rotorua R.S.A. and its representative on the Rehabilitation Committee. He is survived by his wife and two sons. John (Hamilton), and Brian (Christchurch), and a daughter, Jennifer. There are two grandchildren.