Douglas Westhead, St. Anne's-on-Sea, Lancashire

I came across this gravestone today, at St. Anne's Church, St. Anne's-on-Sea (Lytham St. Anne's). The lower part of the inscription reads: - "Also their dear sons, Jim, Thomas, Edward, Douglas. Killed in action 2nd World War"

Who was Douglas Westhead? Was his not a war-related death? The St. Anne's town memorial has the following Westheads as WW2 casualties - E, J, R and T. In St. Anne's Church the only WW2 Westheads are E, J and T.

 

• Hi Bernice here I think he is on a family tree
• Birth
  Mar 1921 • Lytham, Lancashire, England
  1921 (AGE)
  
  
• Death of Brother Edward Westhead(1918–1941)
  17 December 1941
  1941 20
  
  
• Death of Brother Thomas/ Tommy Westhead(1914–1942)
  23 Apr 1942 • Malaya
  1942 21
  
  
• Death of Father John Westhead(1872–1943)
  12 Aug 1943 • St Annes-on-Sea, Lancs, England
  1943 22
  
  
• Death of Brother James Westhead(1912–1944)
  14 July 1944 • Western Europe
  1944 23
  
  
• Death of Sister Catherine/ Kathleen Westhead(1909–1945)
  16/10/1945 • St Annes, Lancashire, England
  1945 24
  
  
• Marriage
  Apr-May-Jun 1949 • Fylde, Lancashire
  1949 28
  
  
• Death
  1958 • Bradford, Yorkshire, England

 

Just noticed this on his family tree.

Military Service: Douglas Westhead was, with his brothers, in Burma in World war II. He did not die directly of his injuries, but succumbed to them later.

 

Thank you, Deacs. According to the inscription, the mother was Sarah Jane Westhead, died 11th April 1962. How sad, she survived her five children.

 

This is R Westhead:

Private WESTHEAD, ROBERT
Service Number 3597597
Died 29/05/1944
Aged 34
2/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Son of William and Selina Westhead, of Lytham St. Anne's.

 

If I'm reading their mothers Sarah Jane tree she right had 19 kids ?

Spouse & Children

• 
  John Westhead
  1872–1943
  
• 
  Frederick Smith
  1897–
  
• 
  Dorothy Smith
  1899–
  
• 
  Florence May England Westhead
  1901–1960
  
• 
  Margaret Ester Smith
  1902–
  
• 
  Elizabeth Anne/ Annie Westhead
  1902–1986
  
• 
  Helen Magdeline 'Madge' Westhead
  1904–1904
  
• 
  Margaret Irene/ Renee Westhead
  1905–1988
  
• 
  John William Smith
  1906–
  
• 
  John Westhead
  1908–1983
  
• 
  Catherine/ Kathleen Westhead
  1909–1945
  
• 
  Sidney Webb Smith
  1910–
  
• 
  Frank Westhead
  1910–1974
  
• 
  James Westhead
  1912–1944
  
• 
  Thomas/ Tommy Westhead
  1914–1942
  
• 
  Frederick/ Fred Westhead
  1916–1916
  
• 
  Richard/ Dick Westhead
  1917–1921
  
• 
  Edward Westhead
  1918–1941
  
• 
  Douglas Westhead
  1921–1958
  
• 
  Private

 

A very complicated family this is (well it is for me ?) where did the 5 Smiths come from goodness knows ?

I think someone as made a hash of doing their family tree to include the 5 Smiths in my opinion ?

 

I see 5 Smiths and some of them born in the same year as a Westhead and no dates of death for them either. Frederick Smith must be 120 years of age.

 

Steve I've just edited my last message and in my opinion I think someone as made a mistake by adding the Smiths

 

I agree, Michael!

Best,

Steve.

 

Here is the 1911 census for John William Smith.

 

And the 1911 census for our family were researching.

 

1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
14 Holmefield Road, Lytham St Anne's M.B, Lancashire
NAME DOB OCCUPATION
John Westhead 03 Nov 1872 General Labourer Retired
Sarah J Westhead 02 Nov 1881 Unpaid Domestic Duties
Catherine Astbury 17 Jul 1909 Unpaid Domestic Duties
Elizabeth Joyce McAlister (Astbury) 27 Dec 1936 Under School Age
Margaret Wilcock 25 May 1926 Attending School
Arthur Ulya? 03 Sep 1896 Clerk (Book Maker)

 

1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
54 St Alban's Road, Lytham St Anne's M.B., Lancashire
NAME DOB OCCUPATION
John Westhead 06 Mar 1908 Bricklayer
Edith A Westhead 26 May 1910 Unpaid Domestic Duties
Sorry, this record is officially closed.
Sorry, this record is officially closed.

101 Commonside, Lytham St Anne's M.B., Lancashire
NAME DOB OCCUPATION
Frank Westhead 18 Dec 1910 General Labourer Heavy Worker
Ann Puccio (Westhead) 17 Jan 1910 Unpaid Domestic
Sorry, this record is officially closed.

9 Alexandra Road, Lytham St Anne's M.B., Lancashire
NAME DOB OCCUPATION
James Westhead 24 Apr 1912 Stone Crusher
~??? Culshaw (Westhead) 24 Sep 1908 Daily Domestic Help

 

From: Roll of Honour

WESTHEAD, Private, EDWARD, 2979919. 2nd Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 17th December 1941. Age 23. Son of John Westhead, and of Sarah J. Westhead, of St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire. Column 84.

WESTHEAD, Private, THOMAS, 3854291. 2nd Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire). 23rd April 1942. Age 27. Son of John Westhead, and of Sarah J. Westhead, of St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire. Column 75.

Casualty
Casualty
Casualty

Tim