Westfield Archives - WW2 Roll Of Honour

Spring Cottage, Westfield

15th May 2022
by WW2RollofHonour

On 3rd July 1944 a V1 Flying Bomb struck near to Spring Cottage, Westfield. The bomb was likely to have been intercepted by a British Fighter plane, whose job it was to bring the bombs down before they reached major population areas. The thinking being that it was better to limit the casualties these powerful bombs could cause.

Spring Cottage was badly damaged by the explosion, and 23 year old Doris Linch, six months pregnant, was buried under the rubble. She died the next day. According to this article, her brothers attended to her grave at Westfield Church until they passed. It is still maintained today.

Notable Bomb Sites

Plumtree Cottages, Westfield

27th June 2021
by WW2RollofHonour

During the morning of 7th December 1943, a German plane flew over the Westfield parish and fired its machine guns at cottages across the area. At Plumtree Cottages in Spray Lane, Joan Beeching, aged 28 was in her kitchen. She was hit several times by bullets and died later that day at Buchanan Hospital. Her son, lying asleep upstairs, and her neighbour escaped injury despite many other bullets passing through the houses.

Civilian

Linch, Doris Margaret

25th April 20205th July 2021
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: Margaret Doris Linch

Died on: Tuesday, 4th July 1944

Died at: Spring Cottage, Westfield

Additional Information: Margaret Linch, aged 23, was wounded when a V1 Rocket impacted near to Spring Cottage in Westfield. Margaret died the next day at Buchanan Hospital. She was the only casualty.

Margaret was the daughter of Mr & Mrs E Taylor of Sedlescombe and married to Alfred George Linch. She lived at Spring Cottage and is buried at Westfield Church cemetery.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Civilian

Lewry, Joyce Elizabeth

12th February 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: Joyce Elizabeth Lewry

Died on: Monday, 7th December 1942

Died at: Westfield

Additional Information: Joyce Lewry, aged 14 months, was wounded when a German plane machine gunned, seemly at random, houses and civilians in and around Westfield. She died later that day at Buchanan hospital. One other person was killed in the attack.

Joyce was the daughter of Robert John and Violet Patricia Lewry. She lived at Hare Farm Cottage, Brede.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Civilian

Beeching, Joan Primrose

11th February 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: Joan Primrose Beeching

Died on: Monday, 7th December 1942

Died at: Plumtree Cottages, Sprays Bridge, Westfield

Additional Information: Joan Beeching, aged 28, was wounded in her home when a German plane machine gunned, seemly at random, houses and civilians in and around Westfield. She died later that day at Buchanan hospital. One other person was killed in the attack.

Joan was married to William Henry Beeching and lived at Plumbtree Cottages.

She is buried at Sedlescombe Church cemetery.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.