With Bob searching out Axford, it seems very appropriate tonight, the eve of the ninetieth anniversary of the Armistice, to send you all this photo of the World War I Memorial at Ramsbury Parish Church, with its four Westalls lost. Of course, there were many more ­ thirty nine Westalls according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: http://www.cwgc.org/search/SearchResults.aspx?=casualty&surname=Westall&init ials=&war=1&yearfrom=1914&yearto=1919&force=&nationality=&send.x=49&send.y=1 2 My grandfather Harry Westall (b. 1889) ­ an Axford Westall ­ son of Mary Westall (b. 1869) and grandson of Henry Westall (b. 1827) a farm labourer of Axford - and Eliza Pike, is buried at Trescault, near Havrincourt Wood, where he was shot in 1917. He is remembered on the Marlborough Town War Memorial. He carried the name Westall through his mother because his father did not acknowledge him and is not now known. The family legend is that Mary was a domestic servant at Marlborough College and the father was a member of teaching staff. I have not visited the War Memorial at Axford, but there is a photo here: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gallery/church/ramsbury_picF0040.JPG It does not appear to have any names, but it¹s possible that there are some on the reverse. Let us remember those thirty nine Westalls tonight in the knowledge that the sense of loss still echoes down the years. Oliver Westall No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells, Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,- The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. ?