Story
Born in Halton in 1848, Robert was the last child of George Westerman (1829-1906) and Sarah Shaw (1830-1859) who married on 19th February 1849. Sarah died shortly after Robert was born, and his father re-married and had a further four sons.
Robert married Esther Ellen Monks (1863-1943) in Whitkirk on 17th October 1888, and by 1896, the couple were living at 50 Crescent, Micklefield, and had 6 children: George, Walter, Amy, Pauline, Lincoln and Nellie. They also had a lodger staying with them John Emmanuel Lloyd (1858-1931). At 8:30pm on Wednesday 29th April 1896, Robert was at the Boot & Shoe Inn, Ledsham with his brother George Westerman, of 5 Bland’s Cottages.
Robert made his way up the Old North Road, and was with Harry Bellerby in Sam Goodall’s Bord when the explosion occurred about 400 metres away. Robert was making his way back to the Old North Road when he was overcome by afterdamp gas, and died near the Crossroad. His body was found with a clanny safety lamp in his hand, still intact, and was brought out at 8pm on 2nd May. He was identified at the Inquest by his wife who reported that Robert had no injuries.
In 1898, Robert’s widow, Esther got re-married to her lodger, John Emmanuel Lloyd and had a further 3 children at 50 Crescent. Esther’s son Lincoln Westerman was killed on 23 May 1917 during the First World War. Esther’s daughter Nellie Westerman’s married John Henry Waite in Garforth on 5th February 1916, but he was also killed during the War on 28th September 1917. Nellie re-married but died in 1921 giving birth to her first child, who also passed away. Esther’s husband had two nephews, John and Lewis Lloyd who were also killed in 1917 during the First World War, and are remembered on the Micklefield War Memorials, as is Lincoln Westerman. Esther moved to 18 East View, where she passed away on Christmas Day 1943.
30th April 1896. The Peckfield Colliery Disaster at Micklefield 