Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
William West was born on the 3rd of January 1885 in Dorking, Surrey to gardener John William West and Mary West.
William’s father John William West was born about 1852 in St Pancras, Middlesex, London.
William’s mother Mary was born about 1848 in Beddington, Surrey.
John William and Mary married about 1880.
William West had two siblings: Harry West born about 1881 in Dorking, Surrey and Lucy West born about 1883 in Dorking, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Orchard Road in Dorking. John William was working as a gardener and Mary was looking after baby Harry.
William West was born on the 3rd of January 1885 in Dorking and was baptised on the 12th of April 1885 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Horsham Road in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Harrow Gate Gardens in Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 9 Harrow Gate Gardens in Dorking. Mary was at home and their son William, like his father, was working as a gardener.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 2 Shermanbury Cottages, Harrow Road East in Dorking. John William and William were still working as gardeners. Mary was at home. The accommodation had five rooms.
William West enlisted in Guildford, Surrey. He became part of the 1st Battalion the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a private with a regimental number G/4075. At the time of enlistment he resided in Dorking.
William West disembarked on the 12th of May 1915 in France. He was killed in an action on the 18th of April 1916 in France.
William is buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery in France. His grave reference number is: III.H.11. His headstone bears an inscription: “Greater Love Hath no Man”. The inscription was commissioned by his brother Harry West of 5 New Road, Crouch End, N8, London.
William’s mother Mary West received £7 and 4d on the 1st of July 1916 and his brother Harry West and sister Lucy Smith nee West received £2 and 10s on the 2nd of February 1920 in Soldier’s Effects.
William West was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | John William and Mary West of Dorking | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) | |
| Number | G/4075 | |
| Date of Death | 18th April 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France |
