Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Herbert Horatio Spencer Westmacott, known as Spencer, was born on 10 November 1885 at Christchurch, the only son of Herbert Horatio Spencer and Ada Janet (née Depree) Westmacott. Spencer was educated at Christchurch Boys’ High School, Fitzroy School, New Plymouth, for six months in 1899, and Waitaki Boy’s High School. For some considerable time before the war, his father had farmed successfully in South Canterbury, notably at Waikakahi, and he helped Spencer acquire land in the North Island and start on his own farming career.

On the outbreak of war, Spencer Westmacott enlisted – on 14 August 1914 at Auckland - and named his father as next-of-kin – H. Westmacott, Nile Street, Timaru. He had previously served for 8 years with the Volunteer Territorials and 5½ years with the Cadets. Having landed at Gallipoil on 25 April 1915, he was wounded. While one report stated that he was doing well, another listed him as dangerously ill. He was, in fact, severely wounded, so severely that he lost his right arm. He recovered in England, however, and in 1917 went to France, where, although not in the front line, he was involved in important roles. The London Gazette of 6 June 1919 carried the notification of his appointment as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).

Spencer Westmacott married Jean Patricia Campbell, whom he had known from Christchurch days, on 17 September 1918 at St Martin’s, London. Major Westmacott returned to New Zealand per the ‘Awarua’ and reached Timaru by the express from Christchurch on 18 November 1919. He and his comrades were accorded a hearty welcome. They were met at the station by members of the Timaru Reception Committee and conveyed to their homes by cars provided. Major Westmacott was discharged on 20 February 1920. Westmacott gave five years and four months service with the 1st NZEF.

His father died in 1926 at Timaru and his mother in 1937, both buried at Timaru. Herbert Horatio Spencer Westmacott, O.B.E., died on 26 January 1960 at Lowry Bay, Wellington, and was buried at Otorohanga. He was survived by his wife, his son Herbert Patrick Westmacott, D.S.O., D.S.C., who saw service with the Royal Navy in World War Two, and two daughters. Herbert Horatio Spencer Westmacott left not only an estate in New Zealand but a sizeable estate in England.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [30 December 2020]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [30 December 2020]; School Admission record [30 December 2020]; Otorohanga Cemetery burial record (Otorohanga District Council) [30 December 2002]; England & Wales National Probate Calendar (ancestry.com.au) [30 December 2020]; ref. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (teara.govt.nz) [30 December 2020]; ref. Timaru Herald, 22 August 1914, 20 August 1915, 12 June 1917, 22 March 1919, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 4 May 1915, Dominion, 15 May 1915, Press, 13 January 1916 (Papers Past); Timaru Herald, 19 November 1919, 3 April 1926 (Papers Past) [December 2020]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.