Dickon Ormsby Lyndhurst Westmorland was born into the renowned and adventurous Lakeland family on 9 December 1938 in Poona, India, the son of of Lt Col Horace Lyndhurst Westmorland OBE who served with the 14th Pujabis and later with 22 SAS, and the grandson of Lt Col Horace “Rusty” Westmorland OBE of the Canadian Forces (1886-1984) and renowned climber (see page 291 for a further biography of Horace Westmorland). The family had quite a reputation for adventure that Dickon would inherit and would show through his globetrotting life. Indeed his great grand father and great grand aunt and uncle were all noted for their un-roped ascent of Pillar Rock in 1873 which at the time was only the second ascent by a lady.
Dickon’s forbears farmed at Milburn under the shadow of Crossfell and also became tanners.
The young Dickon was sent to Canada at the outbreak of War before going to England in 1941. He was subsequently evacuated several times.
He went to Allen House School in Woking, before going to the Hill from 1952.
He served in the Queen’s Own West Kent Regiment from 1958 seeing active service in Cyprus during the Emergency. His desire to become a regular officer was scuppered by a rugby accident whilst at Mons OCS that saw him medically discharged.
He became a banker with Barclays DCO (Dominions Commonwealth and Overseas) which saw him posted to Ghana, specifically to Tarkwa, Kumasi and Accra. It was in Ghana that he was first made a Mason in the Ashanti Lodge No 3717. He also managed to cross the Sahara by land in 1964. He went on to work in Nigeria, the Cameroons, the West Indies and New York with the Inspection Dept of the Bank, before a longer spell in Uganda between 1966 and 1969.
He returned to UK in 1970, marrying Rachel Philippa Taylor. Their daughter Kim was born in 1971.
He then went abroad again, this time to Mauritius between 1971 and 1975. Another spell in the UK proceeded his final posting abroad for Barclays, this time in Singapore from 1980 to 1982. He then joined the Banco Nacional de Mexico (BaNaMex) in Singapore in 1982, adding the role of Hon Consul of Mexico in Singapore to his portfolio in 1984. During his time in Singapore he also serve as the Hon Local Secretary of the OW Society for Singapore.
He retired to Australia in 1996, to Queensland. A brief return to Singapore in 2001 and 2002 intruded on retirement, but he then returned to Australia, living in Noosa, Bowrai, Brisbane and then to Berrima, NSW in 2005.
His mother Lodge was Ashanti Lodge No 3717 in Ghana, where he was initiated in 1964. He joined the Old Wellingtonian Lodge aged 27 in 1965. He was a member for 37 years, being WM in 1977 before resigning in 2002 to go to Australia. He joined the same year as Little who had been in his year at School and Godfrey-Faussett. Dickon was also able to instal his friend and brother Little in the Chair.
His masonic career followed his professional one. He was exalted into the St George Royal Arch Chapter No 3605 in Lagos, Nigeria in 1965; He was the Founder Substitute Master of Lodge Ruwenzori No 1389 in Kilembe, Uganda under the Scottish Constitution in 1969; He joined the Mark with Caledonian Lodge of Uganda No 1389, also under the Scottish Constitution; He became a member of the Lodge of Friendship in Mauritius; In Singapore he joined the second oldest research lodge under the English Constitution, Lodge St Michael No 2933 and also joined Rose Croix in Singapore in Mount Calvary in the East Rose Croix Chapter No 47.
During his time in Mauritius his Lodge was honoured with an official visit from the Pro Grand Master, MW the Earl Cadogan MC DL and the Grand Secretary, VW Brother James W Stubbs PJGW in October 1973.
Whilst no longer a member of the OW Lodge due to the distances involved he remained in contact and a keen supporter of the Lodge, especially helping novice lodge historians with their efforts which was much appreciated.
He passed away in hospital surrounded by his wife Rachel and daughter Kim and the family.
