| Westmacott | Richard | | Lieutenant Colonel | WESTMACOTT, RICHARD, Colonel, was born 16 March 1841, at Chastleton Rectory, Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxfordshire, second son of the Reverend Horatio Westmacott; was educated at Rossall, and entered the Bombay Army 19 March 1859. He served in the Mutiny in 1859, and was present at the Siege of Beyt and at Dworka (Medal), and in 1860 in the operations against rebel Bheels in Gujerat. In 1868 he took part in the operations against the rebel Naikras; was present at the action of Warak, and received the commendation of the Government (GPO 161 of 1868); in the Afghan Campaign of 1878-80 he was Road Commandant, commanding troops on the Lines of Communication, Quetta to Kandahar; took part in the engagements in the Khozak Pass; was present at the Relief of Kandahar (Despatches; GPO 645 and 975 of 1880; Medal and two clasps). He served in the Sudan in 1885, taking part in the operations at Suakin, Hasheem and Tofrek; in various attacks on convoys and in the advance on Tamai (Medal with two clasps; Despatches [London Gazette, 25 August 1885]). He became Lieutenant Colonel in 1885, and Colonel in 1889. On 22 January 1889, Colonel Westmacott married, at Kirkee, India, Margaret Rose, elder daughter of Major General Caldecott, RA, CB, and their surviving son was Captain Guy Roudolph Westmacott, DSO, Captain, Grenadier Guards, born 16 July 1891. Lieutenant Colonel Westmacott served with the Chin-Lushai Expedition, North-West Frontier of India, in command of an advance column on Haka (mentioned in Despatches, 990, 430, 1890), and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 14 November 1890]: "Richard Westmacott, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel, Indian Staff Corps. For services in the Chin-Lushai Expedition". (Insignia presented 22 January 1891). He was created a CB (Military) in 1891; commanded the 28th Bombay Pioneers, 1889-95; commanded the 1st Brigade, Mohmand Field Force, NW Frontier, in the action of Bedmanai and others (Despatches 990,1318, 1897). He served in the Tirah Campaign, 1897-98; commanded the 4th Brigade in the actions of Dargai twice, at the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes; reconnaissance of Saran Sar; action of 9 November 1897; operations at and around Dwatoi, action 24 November; operations in Dera Valley, 7 to 14 December; rearguard actions, 13 and 14 December; commanded at Shin Wara on 29 January 1898 (Despatches, GGO, 58 and 244, 1898; clasp; created a KCB). He became Major General 22 June 1899; commanded a First Class District at Mhow, 1900-3; was on the Unemployed List from 16 March 1906. Sir R Westmacott's favourite recreations were hunting, shooting and fishing.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |
