BIOGRAPHY

Born on 1876 in Portland, Maine.

On September 9, 1901, Walter became a Substitute Callman with Ladder 5, India Street and was appointed a regular Callman on April 13, 1903.  He was a Wheelwright by trade.

Walter became a member of the Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association in October of 1907.

On June 29, 1923, he was appointed a Permanent Man, assigned to Ladder 5.  He remained at the India Street firehouse until 1924, when Ladder 5 and Engine 1 were relocated to the new Central Station.

On August 22nd, 1932, at 1:31 PM, three families were driven to the streets from a two-alarm fire in a two and ½-story house at 2b Monroe Place, at Bramhall Square.  Ladderman Webster and the crew of Ladder 5 were working in dense smoke and heat on the roof, ventilating the building.

Private Webster suddenly collapsed in the arms of a brother fireman and carried to the street by three other firemen, then taken by stretcher to the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary, which was next to the fire building. That afternoon, Private Webster, age 56, died from an apparent heart attack, resulting from over-exertion and the dense smoke and heat from the fire.  He was survived by his wife Addie, a daughter Mrs. J. Martell and 3 grandchildren.

Private Webster was buried in Forest City Cemetery, Lot N-299, on Bayview on the left front.