According to the school's 75th jubilee booklet (2000) the bell was found in England by a Mr Fenton, an associate of Mr E. H. White, director of White's Ltd in New Plymouth and a member of the school's PTA. Cast in 1845, it was recovered from the bombed ruins of St Michael's Church in Plymouth and arrived in 1947. The tower was to be erected in 1949 but the build was postponed because of a shortage of cement. The Taranaki Herald reported on 5 September 1950 that a committee had been formed to help raise the £600 to cover the cost of construction. The architect was Matthew G. B. Harvey.
In March 1953 the Taranaki Daily News reported that the bell tower was, "to be constructed as soon as suitable bricks were obtained". Education Board architect Mr G.B. Harvey explained that a load of bricks had been delivered, however they had been damaged and were not the type needed for the project.
The bell & tower were finally unveiled & dedicated 7 August 1955 by Mr Halstead, the Minister in Charge of Tourist Health Resorts and the president of the New Plymouth RSA, Mr J. Renwick.
In 1993 the school set about compiling a history of the bell tower at the request of St Michael's in Plymouth which was going to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 1995.
Category A listed item on the New Plymouth District Council District Plan.
A recording of the bell being rung on Anzac Day 2024 can be heard here.
Plaque on right side of bell tower
This bell tower
is a memorial to those
of the Westown District
who served in the World War
1939-1945
1953
Text below engraved on bell – all within shield:
In Memory of
The Scholars of the Westown School
[New] Plymouth, New Zealand
who died in the War 1939-1945
This Bell
from the Church of St Michael, Devonport
Plymouth, England
destroyed by Enemy Action on the 22nd April 1941
is presented to the Westown School at the instance of
The Right Honourable Isaac Foot
Lord Mayor of Plymouth
on behalf of the Citizens of Plymouth, England
by the Vicar and Churchwardens
of the Church of St Michael
2nd November 1946
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