Westward Story
A name inspired by adventure, craftsmanship and legacy
Westward takes its name from the famous racing schooner owned by local businessman and philanthropist Thomas Benjamin Davis. He overwintered Westward at South Pier, the very location the new development will overlook.
Born and raised in Havre des Pas, Davis attended St Luke’s Elementary School before going to sea at the age of fifteen as a ship’s boy aboard the Satellite, a 245-ton three-masted schooner. His first voyage ended in near tragedy when the vessel ran aground, leaving him adrift and declared missing, presumed drowned. Miraculously, he survived and returned home to Jersey just in time to see his family leaving his own memorial service, to the astonishment of all, especially his mother.
Undeterred, Davis continued his seafaring career, travelling the world and, through hard work, courage, and a keen business mind, built his fortune in the global shipping and maritime trade industry. He eventually became one of Jersey’s most successful self-made men. Davis regularly raced his beloved Westward against King George V’s yacht.
Davis’s only son, Howard Davis, served in the Highland Light Infantry and tragically died from wounds sustained at the Battle of the Somme. In his son’s memory, T. B. Davis established a number of enduring gifts for the island community, including Howard Davis Farm, Howard Hall at Victoria College, and Howard Davis Park — all created for the benefit of the people of Jersey.
A lifelong patron of the St Helier Yacht Club, Davis remained deeply connected to his island roots.
We are proud to honour T. B. Davis’s life and legacy in Jersey via naming the development Westward and incorporating a percentage for art installation in honour of him and his spirit of generosity.
Learn More About T. B. Davis
Thomas Benjamin Davis (often known locally as T. B. Davis) lived an extraordinary life. Born in Havre des Pas, his early years at sea were marked by danger — including the near-fatal shipwreck that saw him declared dead before dramatically returning home mid-memorial service. Undeterred, he went on to carve out a successful global career, building his fortune overseas before returning to Jersey later in life.
While his racing schooner Westward brought him prestige — competing in regattas and even racing against King George V’s Britannia — it was Davis’s philanthropy that has had the most enduring impact on island life.
Perhaps his most generous gift was the creation of Howard Davis Park, dedicated to the memory of his son Howard, who was killed in World War I. Davis bought and landscaped the estate, before leaving it to the people of Jersey upon his death. Today, Howard Davis Park remains one of the island’s most treasured public spaces — a place of gardens, community events, and remembrance.
Davis’s story is one of resilience, adventure, and generosity. Naming the Westward development after his beloved schooner honours not only his maritime passion but also his deep connection to Jersey’s community.