5002/432001 Sgt Thomas Westwell DCM 55th Div Sig Coy RE
Posted: 16 Apr 2009 10:57
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
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
Knowing the peeps on here thats very likely