On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:13:32 +1000, you wrote: >Westney was obviously a late addition to the memorial with his name being >out of order and his honours also being out of order. Perhaps someone thought they should be written in chronological order! >The past 48 hours, with a new bloodhound on the trail, has revealed all the >evidence I need to ensure that his name remains on the memorial as the most >highly decorated WWI veteran from the district. Good! He may not have been born in the area, which is the most common criteria for being on a local war memorial, but it looks like he settled there at some point and probably looked upon it as home. I wonder if he's got family down there? >To complete the story I think that I will obtain a copy of his service >records. Could you please tell me where I can obtain these? Is it from the >PRO in Kew? It is so long since I have researched this area that I have >forgotten. So long as he didn't serve in the British Army after about 1920-1921, there is a chance that his Service Record is at the National Archives at Kew. Not all these Service Records have survived, but for the 30-40% that have, they are on microfilm in the Burnt or Unburnt Documents collections (WO363 and WO 364). See <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/sr_soldiers.htm> for more information. The microfilms are also available through the LDS Family History Library system. If he did serve after about 1920-1921, and the documents survived the bombing in WW2, then the Ministry of Defence probably still has them. Next of kin can apply for a copy for a fee of 30 GBP, as can other people with the written permission of the NOK - see http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/service_records.html and http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/army.html for info. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher
Forrest Thanks again The picture is starting to come together. Westney enlisted in Melbourne on 8 August 1914, three days before Australian enlistments began. So it makes sense that enlistment, even from Australia, at that date was in the British Army. This would also explain a very simple two page 'enlistment' record in our archives. When he first arrived in Australia is yet to be ascertained however he apparently left a young lady very pregnant in London. Perhaps that is why he came over here in the first place - shame and scandal in the family!!!!. Three weeks before enlisting, this young lady gave birth to a son in London. To give Westney his due, he eventually married this young lady, and together with his son, came back to Australia after the war. This son served in the Australian Army in the 2nd World War. They also adopted a family of British war orphans. The name Westney is very rare in Australia, with only about 6 in the national white pages. I suspect that they may well be related and will more than likely follow up on these. What started out as curiosity over an unusual entry on the Honour Roll has turned into a rather interesting, albeit small, piece of research. Your assistance has been very much appreciated. Regards Geoff -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Forrest Anderson Sent: Tuesday, 27 March 2007 2:57 AM To: GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] Westney P E, DCM. MM On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:13:32 +1000, you wrote: >Westney was obviously a late addition to the memorial with his name being >out of order and his honours also being out of order. Perhaps someone thought they should be written in chronological order! >The past 48 hours, with a new bloodhound on the trail, has revealed all the >evidence I need to ensure that his name remains on the memorial as the most >highly decorated WWI veteran from the district. Good! He may not have been born in the area, which is the most common criteria for being on a local war memorial, but it looks like he settled there at some point and probably looked upon it as home. I wonder if he's got family down there? >To complete the story I think that I will obtain a copy of his service >records. Could you please tell me where I can obtain these? Is it from the >PRO in Kew? It is so long since I have researched this area that I have >forgotten. So long as he didn't serve in the British Army after about 1920-1921, there is a chance that his Service Record is at the National Archives at Kew. Not all these Service Records have survived, but for the 30-40% that have, they are on microfilm in the Burnt or Unburnt Documents collections (WO363 and WO 364). See <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/s r_soldiers.htm> for more information. The microfilms are also available through the LDS Family History Library system. If he did serve after about 1920-1921, and the documents survived the bombing in WW2, then the Ministry of Defence probably still has them. Next of kin can apply for a copy for a fee of 30 GBP, as can other people with the written permission of the NOK - see http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/service_records.html and http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/army.html for info. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Forrest A follow-up on my research into Philip E Westney, together with a few more queries- Regrettably, Westney's service records appear to have been lost in the 'Burnt Records', however, I have found him in the National Archives First World War Pension Records which provides basic details of his military history from which the bulk of the following information was received. These records tie in with the info already held but also raise a few anomalies requiring some explanation which I feel you may be able to assist with. Westney originally enlisted on 29 December 1902. On 13 October 1905 he extended his service to complete "8 years with the colours" and went to India on 21 September 1906. On 1 October 1910 he transferred to the Army Reserve B, at his own request. He is recorded as have remained in India until 18 December 1914 and is credited with serving there for 8 years 89 days. First anomaly - (from Australian Immigration and Military records) Westney arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on 31 JULY 1914, from Calcutta on the ship Janus. On 4 August 1914 he 're-enlisted' in Melbourne, departed for the UK on 20 October 1914, and was mobilized at Woolwich England on 19 December 1914. HOW COULD A SOLDIER MIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA, GAIN EMPLOYMENT, RE-ENLIST IN THE IMPERIAL ARMY RESERVE, RETURN TO ENGLAND FOR MOBILIZATION, WHEN HE WAS ON RECORD AS HAVING BEEN IN INDIA ALL OF THAT TIME? Accumulated Rec Leave in the Army Reserve? Westney went to France from 18 February 1915 to 5 September 1918 from whence he went on furlough (presumably UK) before returning to France on 22 September 1918. Anomaly 2 Westney married Alma Rebecca Daly (a widow) in London on (Friday) 27 JULY 1917 (as per the Military History sheet in the pension records). IF HE HAD LEAVE FROM THE WAR, WOULD IT NOT HAVE BEEN MARKED ON HIS RECORDS! On 15 June 1917 Westney was awaiting trial for an unknown offence and was tried, sentenced and demoted (A/Cpl to Gunner) on 23 June 1917. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS CHARGE? Anomaly 3 A little over 3 weeks later (18 July) the London Gazette reported that Westney had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty ......" FROM BAD BOY TO HERO IN 3 WEEKS! In India, Westney received two 'good conduct' badges and in France was mentioned in dispatches and received a Military Medal as well as his DSM. Any assistance you can provide to assist clarify these apparent anomalies would be appreciated. Geoff Dare -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Geoff Dare Sent: Tuesday, 27 March 2007 1:29 PM To: 'Forrest Anderson'; greatwar@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] Westney P E, DCM. MM Forrest Thanks again The picture is starting to come together. Westney enlisted in Melbourne on 8 August 1914, three days before Australian enlistments began. So it makes sense that enlistment, even from Australia, at that date was in the British Army. This would also explain a very simple two page 'enlistment' record in our archives. When he first arrived in Australia is yet to be ascertained however he apparently left a young lady very pregnant in London. Perhaps that is why he came over here in the first place - shame and scandal in the family!!!!. Three weeks before enlisting, this young lady gave birth to a son in London. To give Westney his due, he eventually married this young lady, and together with his son, came back to Australia after the war. This son served in the Australian Army in the 2nd World War. They also adopted a family of British war orphans. The name Westney is very rare in Australia, with only about 6 in the national white pages. I suspect that they may well be related and will more than likely follow up on these. What started out as curiosity over an unusual entry on the Honour Roll has turned into a rather interesting, albeit small, piece of research. Your assistance has been very much appreciated. Regards Geoff -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Forrest Anderson Sent: Tuesday, 27 March 2007 2:57 AM To: GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] Westney P E, DCM. MM On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:13:32 +1000, you wrote: >Westney was obviously a late addition to the memorial with his name being >out of order and his honours also being out of order. Perhaps someone thought they should be written in chronological order! >The past 48 hours, with a new bloodhound on the trail, has revealed all the >evidence I need to ensure that his name remains on the memorial as the most >highly decorated WWI veteran from the district. Good! He may not have been born in the area, which is the most common criteria for being on a local war memorial, but it looks like he settled there at some point and probably looked upon it as home. I wonder if he's got family down there? >To complete the story I think that I will obtain a copy of his service >records. Could you please tell me where I can obtain these? Is it from the >PRO in Kew? It is so long since I have researched this area that I have >forgotten. So long as he didn't serve in the British Army after about 1920-1921, there is a chance that his Service Record is at the National Archives at Kew. Not all these Service Records have survived, but for the 30-40% that have, they are on microfilm in the Burnt or Unburnt Documents collections (WO363 and WO 364). See <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/s r_soldiers.htm> for more information. The microfilms are also available through the LDS Family History Library system. If he did serve after about 1920-1921, and the documents survived the bombing in WW2, then the Ministry of Defence probably still has them. Next of kin can apply for a copy for a fee of 30 GBP, as can other people with the written permission of the NOK - see http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/service_records.html and http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/army.html for info. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message