Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Sergeant E. Westcott, 16th Lancers, later 17th Lancers; and Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Driefontein clasp a tailor’s copy, affixed by unofficial rivets (3227 Cpl. E. Westcott. 16th. Lancers); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3227 Serjt: E. Westcott. 16th. Lancers.); 1914 Star (3070 Pte. E. J. Westcott 17/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-3070 Pte. E. J. Westcott. 17-Lrs.); Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. E. Westcott. K. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. E. Westcott. Y. Divn.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (Insp. E. Westcott.) mounted court-style for display, light contact marks, generally very fine and better (8) £400-£500

Eugene John Westcott was born in Peckham, London, on 28 February 1871 and attested for the 16th Lancers on 30 May 1890. Promoted Corporal on 2 April 1895, he transferred to the Army Reserve on 30 May 1897, and joined the Metropolitan Police on 14 June 1897. Posted initially to K (Bow) Division, he transferred to Y (Highgate) Division on 5 August 1898. Following the outbreak of the Boer War he was recalled to the Colours on 20 December 1899, and served in South Africa from 12 February 1900 to 23 August 1902. Discharged on 28 July 1903, after 13 years and 60 days’ service, he returned to the Metropolitan Police, and was promoted Police Sergeant on 19 September 1903 upon transferring to T (Hammersmith) Division, later being advanced Inspector.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Westcott served with the 17th Lancers on the Western Front from 8 November 1914, and was discharged to the Reserve on 5 February 1919. Returning once more to the Police, his final appointment was as Chief Inspector of the mounted branch at Scotland Yard. A familiar figure at Epsom races, it was Westcott as the senior officer of the mounted police that used to accompany the owners when they led in the Derby winner. He retired to pension on 11 November 1923, and died in 1930.

Sold with copied medal roll extracts (which does not show entitlement to the Driefontein clasp); and copied research.