221463 Pte. Henry Westcott British Army 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from:15 Faulkland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, Somerset (d.28th Apr 1917) Harry Westcott was the husband of Mary Jane 'Jenny' Westcott (nee Elliott) and she was my maternal grandmother's first cousin so this makes 'Uncle Harry' and 'Auntie Jenny' my third cousins.
Harry's parents were Tom and Rhoda Westcott who, at the time of Harry's death, lived at 1 Orchard View, Taunton, Somerset. Uncle Harry and Auntie Jenny's home was 15 Faulkland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, Somerset and Auntie Jenny and my grandmother originated from the Swansea area.
Harry died, aged 33, on 28 April 1917 in France and he is Remembered with Honour at the Arras Memorial. Sadly, Harry never saw his first child, Queenie. She grew up, never married and continued to live with her mother in Bath. Queenie died at the age of 44, before her mother. Auntie Jenny continued to live in Bath and died on 8 March 1968, aged 84.
Throughout their lives, Auntie Jenny and Queenie stayed close with my grandparents. They often came to stay at the farm near Banwell, Somerset and likewise they were visited in Bath by our family, myself included.
With the deaths of Uncle Harry, Auntie Jenny and Queenie, it is the end of their line as there were no other children. Therefore, I feel it is even more important to preserve their memory.
Last week we visited The Tower of London and were overwhelmed by the beautiful poppy display, knowing that one of these poppies represents Harry. It was good to be there with thousands of other people to pay our respects and say a prayer. We are thankful to everyone who gave their lives, or survived, in conflict and, in Harry's memory, we purchased one of the poppies.
I am still looking for more information or photographs and I hope to be able to add them in the near future. If anyone else can help, that would be wonderful. Thank you for this opportunity to share our story and memories of Harry.
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