I am seeking information on Philip Edward WESTNEY DCM. MM., Westney appears on a 1914-1918 memorial commemorating those who resided and enlisted in my local area in Melbourne, Australia. His name was last on the memorial, out of alpha order and his honours were also reversed (ie MM DCM). If the entry is accurate(?) Westney would have been the most highly decorated veteran from the area. I have been unable to find any record of him in the area at that time. He does not appear on official nominal or Commemorative or Honour Rolls held by the Australian War Memorial. The National Archives do however have a typed 'note' of a P Westney, Driver RFA (Royal Field Artillery?) 29558, age 29 in 1914, single, NOK Mother 17 Rosebank Street, Bow, London. The service number is well outside the range used in Australia at the time. A Philip Edward Westney died and was cremated in Melbourne in 1960, aged 74. There is no known death memorial. Was Philip in the British Army and did he receive his honours whilst serving with them? Any information would be appreciated. Geoff Dare

On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:04:45 +1000, "Geoff Dare" <gadare@tpg.com.au> wrote: >I am seeking information on Philip Edward WESTNEY DCM. MM., >Westney appears on a 1914-1918 memorial commemorating those who resided and >enlisted in my local area in Melbourne, Australia. >His name was last on the memorial, out of alpha order and his honours were >also reversed (ie MM DCM). If the entry is accurate(?) Westney would have >been the most highly decorated veteran from the area... >Was Philip in the British Army and did he receive his honours whilst serving >with them? The answer is yes to both questions - he received both the MM and DCM whilst serving in the Royal Field Artillery of the British Army in 1916-1917. He was also Mentioned in Despatches. His MM was announced on page 10932 of the London Gazette of 11 Nov 1916 at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?IssueNumber=29819&pageNumber=16&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourType=> ------------- His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:— 29558 Bombr. P. E. Westney, R.F.A. ------------- He was Mentioned in General Haig's Despatch on page 191 of the London Gazette of 4 Jan 1917 at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webtype=0&IssueNumber=29890&PageDuplicate=n&pageNumber=21&SearchFor=&selMedalType=&selHonourType=> ------------- War Office, 2nd January, 1917. The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from General Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.B., Commander-in- Chief of the British Armies in France: — General Headquarters, 13th November, 1916. Sir, I have the honour to submit a list of names of those officers, ladies, non-commissioned officers and men, serving, or who have served, under my command, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider deserving of special mention. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, D. HAIG, General. Commander-in-Chief, The British Armies in France. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Westney, No. 29558 Bombr. P. E. -------------------- His DCM was announced on page 7270 of the London Gazette of 18 Jul, 1917 at http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webtype=0&IssueNumber=30188&pageNumber=62&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourType= -------------------- His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Noncommissioned Officers and Men, for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field :— 29558 A./Cpl. P. E. Westney, R.F.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His battery was subjected to very heavy shelling, which cut telephonic communication with the brigade. He patrolled the line incessantly, and repeatedly repaired the breakages, and it was entirely due to his courage and determination that communication was never lost for more than a few minutes. His conduct at all times showed splendid fearlessness of the same nature and total disregard of personal safety. ------------------------ >A Philip Edward Westney died and was cremated in Melbourne in 1960, aged 74. >There is no known death memorial. It is quite likely that this is the same man. Perhaps he went to live in Australia sometime after WW1, and in view of his gallantry in WW1, the local officials decided to add him to the war memorial when he died. There are no hard and fast rules as to who should be included on a war memorial. If you search for his Medal Index Card at <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1> you should find four images you can download (although one is for R E Westney): Medal card of Westney, Philip E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Gunner... 1914-1920 WO 372/21 Medal card of Westney, R E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Bombardier 1914-1920 WO 372/24 Medal card of Westney, P E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Bombardier 1914-1920 WO 372/23 Medal card of Westney, P E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Acting Corporal 1914-1920 WO 372/23 The one with reference WO 372/21 will tell you which campaign medals he was awarded, and may perhaps have other details. See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp for a guide. The one ending /24 will give the edition of the London Gazette that announced his Mention in Despatches. The two ending with /23 will give the edition of the London Gazette that announced his DCM and MM. Although you now know the London Gazette references from above, it is likely that one of these cards will give his unit (eg Brigade/Battery) within the Royal Field Artillery at the time of the award, although he may have served with several other units during his time in the RFA. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

Forrest Many thanks for your information. Some time after WW1 two Honour Rolls were engraved in granite to commemorate those local residents who answered the call to war. These rolls were eventually placed in the care of the local Returned and Services League of which I am on the committee. Over the years these memorials have have been found to be in need of restoration and we are about to undertake that program. Westney was obviously a late addition to the memorial with his name being out of order and his honours also being out of order. An extensive search through Australian military archives had failed to identify Westney in Australia and questions were being asked as to whether he really existed. 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. 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. Kind regards Geoff -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Forrest Anderson Sent: Monday, 26 March 2007 5:07 PM To: GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] Westney P E, DCM. MM On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:04:45 +1000, "Geoff Dare" <gadare@tpg.com.au> wrote: >I am seeking information on Philip Edward WESTNEY DCM. MM., >Westney appears on a 1914-1918 memorial commemorating those who resided and >enlisted in my local area in Melbourne, Australia. >His name was last on the memorial, out of alpha order and his honours were >also reversed (ie MM DCM). If the entry is accurate(?) Westney would have >been the most highly decorated veteran from the area... >Was Philip in the British Army and did he receive his honours whilst serving >with them? The answer is yes to both questions - he received both the MM and DCM whilst serving in the Royal Field Artillery of the British Army in 1916-1917. He was also Mentioned in Despatches. His MM was announced on page 10932 of the London Gazette of 11 Nov 1916 at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?IssueNumber=2981 9&pageNumber=16&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourType=> ------------- His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:- 29558 Bombr. P. E. Westney, R.F.A. ------------- He was Mentioned in General Haig's Despatch on page 191 of the London Gazette of 4 Jan 1917 at <http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webtype=0&IssueN umber=29890&PageDuplicate=n&pageNumber=21&SearchFor=&selMedalType=&selHonour Type=> ------------- War Office, 2nd January, 1917. The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from General Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.B., Commander-in- Chief of the British Armies in France: - General Headquarters, 13th November, 1916. Sir, I have the honour to submit a list of names of those officers, ladies, non-commissioned officers and men, serving, or who have served, under my command, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider deserving of special mention. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, D. HAIG, General. Commander-in-Chief, The British Armies in France. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Westney, No. 29558 Bombr. P. E. -------------------- His DCM was announced on page 7270 of the London Gazette of 18 Jul, 1917 at http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webtype=0&IssueNu mber=30188&pageNumber=62&SearchFor=&PageDuplicate=n&selMedalType=&selHonourT ype= -------------------- His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officers, Noncommissioned Officers and Men, for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field :- 29558 A./Cpl. P. E. Westney, R.F.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His battery was subjected to very heavy shelling, which cut telephonic communication with the brigade. He patrolled the line incessantly, and repeatedly repaired the breakages, and it was entirely due to his courage and determination that communication was never lost for more than a few minutes. His conduct at all times showed splendid fearlessness of the same nature and total disregard of personal safety. ------------------------ >A Philip Edward Westney died and was cremated in Melbourne in 1960, aged 74. >There is no known death memorial. It is quite likely that this is the same man. Perhaps he went to live in Australia sometime after WW1, and in view of his gallantry in WW1, the local officials decided to add him to the war memorial when he died. There are no hard and fast rules as to who should be included on a war memorial. If you search for his Medal Index Card at <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID= 10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1> you should find four images you can download (although one is for R E Westney): Medal card of Westney, Philip E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Gunner... 1914-1920 WO 372/21 Medal card of Westney, R E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Bombardier 1914-1920 WO 372/24 Medal card of Westney, P E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Bombardier 1914-1920 WO 372/23 Medal card of Westney, P E Corps: Royal Field Artillery Regiment No: 29558 Rank: Acting Corporal 1914-1920 WO 372/23 The one with reference WO 372/21 will tell you which campaign medals he was awarded, and may perhaps have other details. See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp for a guide. The one ending /24 will give the edition of the London Gazette that announced his Mention in Despatches. The two ending with /23 will give the edition of the London Gazette that announced his DCM and MM. Although you now know the London Gazette references from above, it is likely that one of these cards will give his unit (eg Brigade/Battery) within the Royal Field Artillery at the time of the award, although he may have served with several other units during his time in the RFA. 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