Horatio Westmacott

Captain (retired) Horatio Westmacott, (2 August, 1885 – 3 October, 1954) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Highbridge, Somerset, Westmacott gained two months' time on passing out of Britannia.

Westmacott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1908.

Westmacott was admitted to Plymouth Hospital with a sprained right ankle on 8 June 1914 and was found fit on the 18th. In August, he was appointed to join Agincourt. He remained in her through most of the war, serving as her 6-in control officer at the Battle of Jutland, where his batteries discharged 111 rounds. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1916 and re-appointed as the ship's first officer on 6 March, 1918.

On 10 April 1918, Westmacott required an operation to address an umbilical hernia. He was found fit on 19 June.

On 20 February 1919, Westamcott was appointed to the light cruiser Cambrian. He remained with her until being superseded on 12 April, 1921. He was then promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1921.

At the end of February 1924, he was appointed to Despatch as executive officer, vice Dowding from date of joining the ship. He was superseded in March 1926.

On 16 August 1927 he was appointed to be executive officer in Greenwich. This appointment ended on 3 September 1929.

Westmacott's one and only command appointment was the last of his career, being appointed to Constance for Assistance in command, upon that ship returning to Reserve. He was supersed in mid March 1930.

Westmacott was placed on the Retired List at his own request with the rank of Captain on 3 August, 1930.

World War II

Westmacott reported in March 1939 that he was permanently unfit owing to progressive muscular atrophy in both legs, requiring two sticks for walking.

See Also

• Service Records
• H.M.S. Agincourt at the Battle of Jutland

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Sir Lionel A. D. Sturdee	Captain of H.M.S. Assistance c. late 1929 – 14 Mar, 1930	Succeeded by James C. J. Soutter