Richard T Westland: Difference between revisions
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| parents = Richard H Westland; Beatrice Short | | parents = Richard H Westland; Beatrice Short | ||
| relatives = | | relatives = possible 5th cousin twice removed of [[John Francis Bazlinton]] | ||
| callsign = | | callsign = | ||
| awards = | | awards = | ||
Revision as of 11:37, 10 October 2024
| Revd Richard T Westland | |
|---|---|
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Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination Dick Westland in 1939 | |
| Born | 1927 |
| Died | 2022 (aged 94–95) |
| Education | Boston Grammar School (1939-44) |
| Employer | Ruston-Hornsby; Army (National Service); Fogarty; self employed (RT Westland); Church of England |
| Spouse | Pat R Hull (1954 to her death) |
| Parents | Richard H Westland; Beatrice Short |
| Relatives | possible 5th cousin twice removed of John Francis Bazlinton |
Rev Richard T Westland (usually known as "Dick") was educated at Boston Grammar School (1939-44).
Ancestry
It is likely that Westland was fifth cousin twice removed of former BGS staff member John Francis Bazlinton. Bazlinton's grandmother was Mary Westland (1760-1824) who married Richard Bazlinton (1754-1809). Westland and Bazlinton's common ancestors would be Simon Westland (b 1618) and Isabel.
Obituary
An obituary will be written in due course.
Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2003
Dick was guest of honour at the 2003 Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner. Here is a brief report of the speech he gave.
The toast to the school was proposed by Rev Dick Westland. He spoke of his school career which began at Park Board School and then moved to St Nicholas School before starting at BGS in 1939. Having not shone at school he classified himself as a late developer.
On leaving BGS Dick became an apprentice at Ruston-Hornsby before leaving for his National Service in the Army. After the army Dick returned to a textile factory in Boston where he became involved in athletics and cricket as well as running the Old Boys’ Tennis Tournament.
Dick became a department manager in textiles, went on to be involved in production control and later became involved in retail knitting machines, which led to his opening the shop in West Street. He married Pat in 1954 and became a diocesan Lay Reader in 1960, visiting North Sea Camp as part of his duties. From 1983 he trained for ordination, becoming first Deacon, and later Priest. In 1993 Dick retired at the age of 70 having been the Chaplain at Pilgrim Hospital.
Although retired, Dick continues to take weddings, funerals, etc.
He is thankful for the education and friendship provided by BGS, and is concerned about the future of the School. He thanked the Headmaster and Staff and congratulated them on being awarded Technology Status.
Family's connections with Post Office
Published in the 2013 issue of The Old Bostonian, based on an article in the Boston Standard
Helping out at the Post Office as a boy during the war and strong family connections hold fond memories for Revd Richard.
Dick's father worked at the Wide Bargate post office for many years, from its opening in 1907. He still has the programme announcing its opening, which features pictures of the postmasters and staff.
Following the announcement in February 2013 that the Boston Crown Post Office was likely to close with services moved to a shop in the town, Dick was interviewed by Boston Standard on the subject of its history.
"The opening was celebrated with a concert, banquet and ball at the Assembly Rooms," he said. "I wonder if the new premises will get similar treatment."
His father, Richard H Westland, worked as a telegrapher there, giving 43 years service to the Post Office. He moved to various branches over the years, returning to Wide Bargate in 1924 until his retirement in 1950.
When Dick was at a pupil at BGS during the war, he and others used to help out at the post office.
"They used to ask the school if any of us could be let out early around Christmas time to help out with the Christmas postal rush," he said. "I can remember carrying out work to seal the larger mail bags with lead. We did hundreds of them."
Speaking about the post office today, he praised their work, but added: "It is always so busy with long queues there so if they move it they will need to find somewhere big enough for staff and customers to move around freely and sort out their postage and other important matters "But it should also be a site convenient for people to get to, and big enough for the post office vans to park outide."
Concluding, he added: "Let's hope that whatever they do, the post office will continue for another 100 years in Boston."
In October it was announced that the intention was to move the Post Office to within WH Smith. It had earlier been announced that there were plans to convert the first and second floor of the Post Office building into 10 one and two bedroom flats.
A six-week public consultation started in October, and it is proposed the move will take place in February 2014 if agreed.