No.9241, Private, William Thomas J. WESTLAKE
Aged 34
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William Thomas Westlake was born in 1883 in Thetford (Thetford Q3-1883 4B:375 son of Benjamin Thomas and Elizabeth WESTLAKE (née COCK). 1891 census...Aged 8, he was at Water Lane, Thetford with his grandfather James COCK [65] machine fitter born Thetford and grandmother Betsy COCK, also born Thetford. His parents Benjamin T WESTLAKE [32] carman born Kensington and Elizabeth [32] born Thetford were at 24 St. Albans Road, Kensington with his brothers Gussey [7], Birtie [4] and Arthur [1] all three born in Kensington. 1901 census...Aged 17, a blacksmith's labourer, he was at 8 White Hart Street, Thetford with his widowed grandmother. His grandfather had died in 1897. His mother died in 1900, and his father was still at 24 St Albans Road,Kensington with his brothers Augustus (a baker), Burt, James (Arthur), Frederick [9] and sister May [6]. The new siblings also born in Kensington. In 1907 he married Eliza Lavinia EDWARDS 1911 census...Aged 27, a engineers blacksmith striker, he was at Thetford Road, Brandon with his wife Lavinia [27], their daughter Gladys Amelia [18-7-1907] and twin sons William George and Robert Charles [1-5-1909] and sister in law Milly EDWARDS [15]. They had another daughter, Lily later in 1911 who died in 1912, and a son George [29-5-13]. All except William senior were born in Brandon. His father had re-married in 1907 to Elizabeth's sister Mary COCK (previously Mary MANSFIELD) and was living at 131 Clarence Street, Southall with William's sister May and his half sister Alice [5] born Southall. |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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From his regimental number it is likely he enlisted in 1903 but for how long is not known. He must have been a Reservist to have been in the BEF by October
1914 and would have been in the 1st Battalion at that time. It is also likely he was one of the reinforcements to the 1st Battalion after the battering they
took early in November in the Ypres area. It seems he suffered from frostbite and was evacuated to UK. His return was probably when he was transferred to the
2nd Battalion, a common occurrence. On the 7th/8th May 1915 the battalion were near Mousetrap Farm in the Wieltje area and on the 8th were eventually almost surrounded by the Germans and reduced to around 3 or 4 officers and about 100 men. It seems around 80 to 100 men were captured, including William. The International Red Cross records unfortunately tell us very little other than that William was captured near Ypres, repatriated due to illness, arrived in Holland on 2nd January 1918 and admitted to No.1 London General Hospital, Camberwell on 7th January, where he died on 4th March 1918. He was sure to be an Old Contemptible but as the clasp had to be claimed, the award was not made. One strange thing is the badge he is wearing in the photo which does not appear to be any known official badge, certainly of not of the Northumberland Fusiliers which should be a simple flaming grenade. This badge looks to have 'N' and 'F' on either side of the grenade. It could be the shoulder title though, but not the correct cap badge.  Northumberland Fusiliers shoulder title and the proper cap badge Courtesy Darren Norton, an extract from the local press on 16th March 1918:- BRANDON SOLDIER DIES IN HOSPITAL- "It seems inexpressibly sad that after a man had endured the hardships one Brandon soldier has that after an operation he should have died in hospital. Private William Thomas Westlake, Northumberland Fusiliers, being an army reserve man, was mobilised on the outbreak of the war, and went direct to France, and took part in the early fighting and suffered from frost-bitten feet, returning to England in January 1915, was in hospital. Recovering, he was once again sent out, and was taken prisoner by the Germans on May 8th 1915. He was recently one of a batch of men sent home by the Germans, and on reaching London was sent to the Camberwell Hospital, where he died on the 4th March, and was buried at Brookwood Cemetery, London. Private Westlake was of the St Peter's Church Company of Bellringers. He was 34 years of age."
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
