John WESTALL

‘Clitheroe Advertiser’ (13 December 1918)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

FALLEN IN THE FIGHT

In loving memory of Gunner Westall, R.G.A., who died in France of pneumonia, November 30th, 1918, aged 28 years.

Sleep on, dear one, in a far-off grave,
A grave we may never see;
But as long as life and memory last,
We shall always think of thee.

From Mother and Brothers. Harrop Fold.

‘Clitheroe Advertiser’ (13 December 1918)

(Kindly supplied by Shirley Penman of Clitheroe and Dorothy Falshaw of Gisburn)

[Untitled article]

Mrs. Westall, of Harrop Fold, has lost her second son, John a gunner in the R.G.A., who has succumbed in France to that fell disease, pneumonia, at the age of 28. A letter, dated November 26th was received by Mrs. Westall from the St. Louis, U.S.A. General Hospital, informing her that her son was dangerously ill, suffering from broncho-pneumonia, but that the doctors were hopeful of his recovery, and that everything possible was being done for him. Gunner Westall, however, passed away on the 30th. He enlisted in 1916, taking the place, we believe, of another brother, and, since the armistice was signed, an application had been put in for his return to the farm. We tender sympathy to the widowed mother in her grief.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1910

WESTALL Robert of Harrop Fold Farm near Grindleton Yorkshire died 6 February 1910 Probate London 28 June to Jane Westall widow and Robert Westall farmer. Effects £3498 5s. 7d.

1940

WESTALL Elizabeth Jane of Harrop Fold Farm Bowland Forest Grindleton Yorkshire widow died 21 December 1939 Probate Manchester 30 August to Robert Westall and George Thomas Westall farmers. Effects £466 16s. 2d.

Grindleton War Memorial – Biographical Notes by Shirley Penman

JOHN WESTALL, son of Robert and Elizabeth Jane nee Lupton married St. Andrew, Slaidburn 1886.

Siege batteries were equipped with the heaviest guns by which they battered the enemy’s defences and strongpoints and even though they were usually sited well behind the front line they were targeted by the enemy gunners who also needed to remove the allies strongpoints and defences. The batteries and their six man teams were moved from tactical point to tactical point through mud and shell holes onto sites with specially designed platforms which would take the great guns and cushion the remarkable recoil of each shot. John would have been ready for discharge when he must have been struck by pneumonia and sent back to the St. Louis U.S.A. General Hospital.

Commemorated on:

Grindleton Memorial