Torquay hero of Everest climb honoured with plaque

A Torquay man who played a key role in helping to conquer the world's highest mountain has been remembered in a special ceremony.

Deputy mayor Hazel Foster marked the 72nd anniversary of the historic climb to the summit of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by helping to unveil a Blue Plaque marking the birthplace of Michael Horatio Westmacott.

With her was Ian Handford, president of the Torbay Civic Society who arranged, designed and installed the plaque.

Born in Babbacombe on April 12, 1925, Michael Westmacott was a key member of the British Expedition which finally conquered the world's highest peak.  News of the success was relayed to London on June 2, 1953, to coincide with the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

The expedition leader, Sir John Hunt, titled Mr Westmacott 'icefall doctor' as, along with the Sherpas, he kept open a key route through the Khumbu Icefall. He returned to a hero's welcome in Torquay in July, 1953.

Above: Deputy Mayor of Torbay Cllr Hazel Foster, with the couple who researched the birthplace of Michael Horatio Westmacott

The Blue Plaque request came about literally out of the blue. Mr Handford was contacted by a man in Northumberland - himself a man of Torquay - who had been  researching the Sir John Hunt's team that conquered |Mount Everest for Britain

Mr Bruce Fraser had found Micheal before contacting the Oxford University Mountaineering Club to get further details about this past.

Ian Handford said: "Bruce discovered the university had said they were willing to part sponsor any memorial put up in memory of the ex-student. That was when Bruce first contacted me and the rest is history."

Mr Westmacott was born in the house today called 'Coombe House' in St George's Crescent, Babbacombe, where the Blue Plaque was unveiled in front of Cllr Foster, property owner Mrs Rosemary Tidridge, Bruce Fraser and Mr Handford.

Above: Deputy Mayor of Torbay Cllr Hazel Foster and Rosemary, who owns the house, with the new plaque for Michael Westmacott

Mr Handford said: "Following the unveiling 'truly superb' refreshments were given inside the house by the owner and neighbors to over 30 people who attended the ceremony. We then had little of the history given of this previously unremembered 'Man of Torquay'."

Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953, and quickly ensured the expedition leader, then Colonel Hunt, congratulated Michael for his special skill of using ladders and ropes to enable the team to get up and back safely. 

Michael learned the skills of using boulders to cross terraces and scale ice while working with sherpas when attached to the British Army in a previous life.  

Sir John was lucky to get the message of the sensational news back in time for it to be announced on the day of Queen Elizabeth II Coronation in London. 

Michael was eventually received back in Torquay to  be honored at a formal civic reception when numerous communications from Oxford University, the Royal Geographical Society and the Duke of Edinburgh were received for his work in getting all the team safely back. 

Ian Handford said: "Today our Blue Plaque recalls this amazing star of Torquay who until now had long been forgotten."