I am Robert George Westrup and I was born in High Wycombe in 1895. My parents were Robert James & Mary Westrup. In 1911 we were living at 112, Oakridge Road, High Wycombe. My father was a “blast furnaceman” at that time, and I was employed as a “wood sawyer/cabinet work” apprenticed to Hill & Butler of High Wycombe. My sister Lilian was one year older than me and Archibald was two years younger. Then there was a large gap with my little brother Harry and baby Phyllis making up the family.
When the Great War began everyone wanted to do their bit and I joined the Bucks Battalion attached to the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry and went to France in March 1915. I was wounded 2mths later and sent back to England where I remained in hospital for 7mths. I was then transferred to the 3rd Bucks Battalion until October 1916. It was then that I was transferred to the School of Musketry at Bisley and graded Colour Sergeant instructor. I was later stationed in Scotland for 10mths. My service numbers prior to transfer to the NFA school of Musketry were 1070 & 814.
Unfortunately, I was reported to be unwell and taken to the Military Hospital in Hamilton, Scotland and discharged from service as medically unfit in August 1917. I had T.B of the right lung.
As a result of my continued disability I was entitled to wear a Silver Badge which was given to men who had served their Country but were no longer able to continue their service.
The Silver Badge issued to me in February 1918 was number 336305 and inscribed on it were the words ”For King & Empire services rendered”.
Sadly my health continued to deteriorate and I died at my home address on 27th December 1918, joining my fiancée Miss E Hawkins of Wycombe Marsh who had died only a few weeks before my own death. They say I was respected as a good soldier who had been a keen marksman and had won a cup for shooting and had been chosen as one of my Company’s Ten who won the County cup. Apparently I would be greatly missed.
I was given a semi-military funeral attended by members of the Bucks Battalion as well as many mourners from family and friends. The RFA sent bearers and 3 volleys were fired over my grave while the Last Post was sounded. There were numerous beautiful floral tributes.
The inscription on my grave reads: “ I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT”.
A full report can be found in the BFP dated 10th January 1919.
Researched by Ruth Bowler, Flackwell Local Area History Group
