Liverpool & South West Lancs Genealogy

[Mark Abbott]

I'm on another quest for information on a St Helens soldier who served with the Royal Engineers in WW1.

Thomas Westwell was born in 1887, the son of Samuel Westwell ( who died in 1904 at 34 Lascelles St Fingerpost) and Jane Westwell. He married Beatrice Tatlock in 1909 and in 1911 was living at 50 NAPIER STREET ST HELENS. Thomas worked as a machinist (pill making) and I assume that was for Beechams.

Prior to WW1, Thomas joined the St Helens Royal Engineers and was given the number 5002 He volunteered for overseas service at the out break of war and went to France with his unit in January 1916. He was clearly a very brave man and received both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and a Mention in Dispatches (mid).

As he volunteered for overseas service, he was entitled to wear the "Imperial Service" badge. He served throughout the war including the battles on the Somme in 1916, Ypres in 1917 and during the German advance in 1918.

His first award was a "mention in Dispatches" whilst serving with No 2 Cable Section. The citation is as follows:-

"For excellent work and devotion to duty sometimes under very trying circumstances during the last 20 months.

On May 1st 1917, this NCO was detailed to draw cables through the sewers of YPRES to establish communication for 276 Brigade RFA.

Owing to constant shelling it took 7 days to complete the work.

Sergeant Westwell took his men out at 3 am in the morning, returning at 8pm in the evening. As time became pressing, he worked his section for 20 hours under shell fire making joints. This NCO has on many occasions remained several hours under shell fire making joints in cables in front of POTIJZE"

Dated 1 October 1917.


He was then awarded a DCM in 1918:-


"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a cable section.

On 10th April Sgt Westwell was sent with a detachment to lay lines from ESSARS to LE HAMEL. He got the line through successfully although both points were under heavy and continuous shell fire. On his way back to HQRS finding some linesman in difficulties he at once went to their assistance and put a line through to 9th Bde. After six hours work on these lines he returned to Hqtrs and at once volunteered to take a detachment and lay a line from Divisional Hqtrs to a new infantry brigade headquarters 3 miles away which was completed very rapidly.

On 11th April although he had been out almost continuously for the previous 24 hours he took out another detachment laying lines all day under heavy fire on the canal bank to 166 Infantry Bde inspite of a heavy barrage which was continuous on and round these points.

On 12th April he took another detachment and laid and maintained lines throughout the day to 165 and 9th Inf. Bdes which were at that time moving.

Sgt Westwell was on duty almost continuously from 9th to 12th April taking out different detachments and laying and maintaining lines under shell fire. He always volunteered for the most difficult and dangerous duties. It was greatly due to him that communications were successfully maintained during the battle."

Date of recommendation 18.4.1918

Sadly, his wife died in 1920, and was buried on 7 September 1920 at St Helens Cemetery (STHELCEM/6/233)

Unfortunately, I do not know when Thomas died and I was wondering if any of you experts out there could kindly assist?

Mark
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St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671

[LindaS]

I hope we find something out on this one Mark Knowing the peeps on here thats very likely
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Member no 7650.
Looking for STIRRUP, WHITTINGHAM-LIVERPOOL & ST HELENS, WEBSTER, DAVIES- ST HELENS & LATHOM. WESTWELL, ST HELENS & WINWICK

[MaryA]

I'm trying to speak with a friend who has connections to this uncommon name but I fear it may well be a dead end. Will just have to wait and see.
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MaryA - Member No. 6532
Liverpool Names - Lunt, Ayre, Forshaw, Parle, Ennis, Bayley, Russell, Baile, Mason
Any census information included in this post is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[Mark Abbott]

Mary

That is really good of you: thanks.

Mark
_________________
St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671

[Tina]

Hi LindaS
Would it be possible for you to look in St H's cemetery for the grave site?
I don't know your circumstances, this could be a mammoth ask.
Maybe you have a friend or rellie who could do this?
Thank you

Tina
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Member 7629
Cornthwaite,Milburn,Coll,Gaffney,Pearce,Singleton,Hazlehurst,Cuthbert,Mackintosh,McAllister,Morana
Any census/bmd information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

[Education Officer]

Hi Tina

The burials at St Helens Council cemeteries can be searched on line.

Hi Mark

The only Thomas Westwell buried in St Helens Cemetery is Thomas Alfred Westwell aged 73 buried 26 January 1954.

Have you contacted the cemetery to see if Beatrice has a gravestone - if she has it may mention Thomas.

The other possibility is that he remarried - he was only young and moved away.

Ed Officer

[LindaS]

Thomas Alfred Westwell was an uncle of my Thomas Westwell. There are loads of them around - most of them seem to be either Thomas or Samuel!!
I have found a death in Sep 1961 In Edmonton, London which matches with his birth year So its possible he moved down there sometime after the war. At Least if he lived to be 74 he didnt do too bad after hs adventures in the war.
_________________
Member no 7650.
Looking for STIRRUP, WHITTINGHAM-LIVERPOOL & ST HELENS, WEBSTER, DAVIES- ST HELENS & LATHOM. WESTWELL, ST HELENS & WINWICK

[Mark Abbott]

Linda, & EO

I had wondered if that was "my" Thomas. He worked for Beechams pre WW1 and I wonder if he moved away after his wife died in 1920.

His wife, Beatrice is buried in St Helens Cemetery with her mother.

The search (and the enjoyment) continues!

Mark
_________________
St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671

[sjn]

I have a small picture of Thomas Westwell from the St Helens Reporter. PM me an email address if you would like a copy.

[Mark Abbott]

pm sent and many thanks.

Mark
_________________
St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671

[Maralyn]

Thomas Westwell was the eldest brother of my grandfather, David Westwell.

In the summer of 1924 he was appointed Works Foreman for Beechams of the 'Australian business'. He returned to England on the steamer Jarvis Bay, sailing from Melbourne in 1935, and landing at Southhampton. He is recorded as a widower, a retired Pharmeceutical Machinist and had been living in Melbourne. His intended address in the UK was Tottenham, London. He never returned to St Helens. He died on 13 July 1960 and was cremated at Enfield Crematorium.

[MaryA]

Hello Maralyn and welcome to the forum.

Thank you so much for bringing Mark's search up to date, it's wonderful to get some background information on his soldiers.

Your uncle has some good company where he's buried, I hope he says "Hi" to my grandparents who are also in Enfield Crematorium.
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MaryA - Member No. 6532
Liverpool Names - Lunt, Ayre, Forshaw, Parle, Ennis, Bayley, Russell, Baile, Mason
Any census information included in this post is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[Mark Abbott]

I have been doing some work on my 55th Divisional Signal Company RE database.

I have now discovered that there were 2 Thomas Westwell's serving with the unit in ww1:

5002/432001 Sgt T Westwell; who was awarded a DCM and MID.

6557/432033 Dvr/Spr T Westwell.

Interestingly, both were entitled to receive :

British War Medal (BWM), Victory Medal (Vic) and Territorial Force War Medal (TFWM).

Sgt Westwells BWM & Vic were treturned to the issuing office under para 992 of Kings Regulations 1923. ie undelivered.
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St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671

[Maralyn]

6557/432033 Dvr/Spr T Westwell was a cousin of Sgt Thomas Westwell, being the son of John and Sarah Westwell (of the Sutton branch of the family). John was a younger brother of Samuel Westwell, the father of Sgt Thomas. Thomas went on to marry Ann Cathcart and they lived in Queen Street.
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Researching WESTWELL

[Mark Abbott]

Maralyn

Thanks for the info. Have you ever seen a photo of this Thomas?

Mark
_________________
St Helens Royal Engineers; 419, 422 & 423 Field Companies and 55th Divisional Signal Company RE
Any census information, War Diary or Medal Index Card information within this post is Crown Copyright from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
7671