Historian gets a rare find on internet auction site

9:30am Friday 7th November 2008

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A HISTORY enthusiast is hoping to contact to the family of a World War One soldier from Taunton after he bought his memorial plaque on an internet auction site.

Nick Millard bought the memorial plaque of John Howard Westlake, who died in 1917.

Mr Millard said: “Over the past two years I have been researching the story of 2nd Lt John Howard Westlake of the Royal Flying Corps who died of wounds nine days after receiving them in action on April 29, 1917.

“He was born and lived in Taunton and his father, Howard Westlake, was a well-known businessman and councillor. I know he went to Taunton School because his name is on a list of fallen soldiers, but I don’t know if there are any other Westlakes still around in the area.

“This has been the most interesting case because it’s taken a lot of detective work to find out how he died. What makes the story more interesting is that the person responsible for Westlake's death was Lothar von Richthofen, one of the German air aces of the war, with 40 victories to his name, and the younger brother of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.”

“I really want to get a photo of him, if any exists. If there are any family relatives around I would like to hear from them too.”Nick Millard can be contacted by e-mail on: nick.millard@lineone.net