Stanway Manor Farmstead near Rushbury

Francis William Webb (21 May 1836 - 4 June 1906) was responsible for the design and manufacture of locomotives for the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). Webb was born in Tixall Rectory, near Stafford, Staffordshire, the second son of William Webb, Rector of Tixall. Showing an early interest in mechanical engineering, in 1851 aged fifteen he became an apprentice at Crewe Works under Francis Trevithick where he remained until 1857. He returned to Crewe in 1859, becoming Chief Draughtsman and in 1861 was appointed Works Manager at Crewe and Chief Assistant to John Ramsbottom. In 1866 he moved to the Bolton Iron and Steel Company possible to gain experience of steel making. In 1871 Francis Webb became Locomotive Superintendent of the L.N.W.R. He was responsible throughout his career for some highly successful standard locomotive classes, all built at Crewe in considerable numbers. He was Vice‑President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Webb also took a great interest in local politics He was an Alderman on the Crewe Town Council and had been Mayor twice. In 1903 he retired to Bournemouth, and died in 1906 aged 70. He had never married. In Crewe he was for very many years remembered as a major benefactor of the "Webb Orphanage", a beautiful red‑brick building with extensive playing fields behind the railway works and fronting on Victoria Avenue.

Reference           Building News 18 December 18 1891 plan and perspective