Thomas Emrys Westmoreland (1913-1940) [741143, Sergeant, 616 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve]

[Dave Pattern]

• born on 5 June 1913 at Golcar (Q3 1913 Huddersfield née Bray)
• son of Thomas Gladstone Westmoreland & Louisa Ann (née Bray)
• lived at 50 Bath Street, Huddersfield
• died 25 August 1940 – believed crashed over Maidstone during a combat mission, neither his aircraft (Spitfire K9819) or his body were found

Records:

• 1921 Census (FindMyPast) – 73 Lowestwood Lane, Golcar

Links:

• CWGC
• Kenley Revival: Sergeant Thomas Emrys Westmoreland
• Battle of Britain: Sgt. T E Westmoreland
• RAF Commands

Articles:

• Huddersfield Examiner (14/Sep/1940) – News of Some Men in the Forces

Notes:

• Louisa Ann died on 3 January 1921 and Thomas Gladstone remarried to widow Annie Illingworth (née Robshaw) in Q4 1921

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Huddersfield Examiner (14/Oct/1944):

MR. T. G. WESTMORELAND

The death took place on Wednesday, at the age of sixty-four, of Mr. Thomas Gladstone Westmoreland, 50, Bath Street, who was head of the firm of Messrs. John Bray and Co., Ltd., ale and porter bottlers, Rook Street. Mr Westmoreland came from the Golcar district and at one time was employed by the L.N.W. Railway Co. He also spent some years in Canada.

For the greater part of his life, however, Mr. Westmoreland was associated with Messrs. Bray and ultimately became head of the firm.

Mr. Westmoreland was widely known in Masonic circles. He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Truth in 1930, and was also Past-Provincial Grand Standard-Bearer for West Yorkshire and he held provincial honours in the Truth Mark Lodge. He was twice married. He leaves a widow, two sons and three daughters. A son who was serving in the R.A.F. was posted as missing early in the war.

The interment will take place at Wellhouse Methodist Church burial-ground at noon today.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (10/Jul/1947):

MEMORIAL TO “THE FEW”

KING AT ABBEY CEREMONY

Airmen who fought in the Battle of Britain joined the ranks of a fighter-pilot guard of honour, thirty strong, at West- minster Abbey today when the King unveiled Britain’s memorial chapel for “The Few.”

Inside the Abbey thirty-seven pilots who shared in the Battle were ushers-on their tunics medals won throughout the years of war. The unveiling ceremony was simple, accomplished by the King letting fall the Royal Air Force ensign.

There was an ensign party of three Battle of Britain pilots – Wing-Commander F. E. Rosier, Wing-Commander J. Ellis and Warrant-Officer A. W. Eade.

HUDDERSFIELD NAMES

The names of two Huddersfield men were among those inscribed on the memorial plaque which the King unveiled: Sergeant-Pilot Thomas E. Westmoreland, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Westmoreland, 50, Bath Street, and Pilot-Officer Geoffrey N. Gaunt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman H. Gaunt, Hollin House, Quarmby, both of whom were killed in the summer of 1940.

[Dave Pattern]

Added to Huddersfield Exposed:

• https://huddersfield.exposed/wiki/Thomas_Emrys_Westmoreland_(1913-1940)

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