Arthur West
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was born on 7th May 1894 at Boylestone, Derbyshire and was the son of John West a wooden toy maker and his first wife the late Martha Jane West née Smith of 22 Boundary Road, Newark. His father John was born in 1854 in Boylestone, Derbyshire and his mother Martha Jane Smith was born in 1852 at Marston, Derbyshire she died on 30th May 1894 aged 41 yrs the death was recorded in the Uttoxeter registration district. They were married on 27th January 1880, (Martha brought one child to the marriage William Smith born 1874 at Draycott) their marriage was recorded in the Uttoxeter registration district, they went on to have the following children, Fred b1880, Alice Maud b1881, Agnes b1890, Martha Jane b1893 and Arthur b1894 all were born in Boylestone. John married his second wife Jeanie Pauline O'Neill in 1895 at Wandsworth, Surrey In the 1911 census the family are living at 8 Carter Gate, Newark and are shown as John 56 yrs a wood toy maker he is living with his second wife Jeanie Pauline 55 yrs a toy dealer and his daughter Agnes 20 yrs assisting in her fathers business. In the same 1911 census we find that Arthur has left the family home, he has joined the Army and is in Whittington Barracks , Lichfield he is shown as 18 yrs of age and is with the 2nd battalion South Staffordshire Regiment.
Lance Corporal Arthur West had seen previous service with the South Staffordshire Regiment , he was discharged from the Regiment suffering sciatica. Following the outbreak of war he eventually was able to join the Wiltshire Regiment enlisting at Devizes, Wiltshire. He was killed in action on 2nd July 1916, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Article published 19th July 1916 in the Newark Advertiser :- Youngest son of Mr West, 22 Boundary Road, Newark and the late Mrs West, formerly of Cartergate. Came to Newark when young and attended Christ Church Day and Sunday Schools. Also in the choir at Christ Church, where his father was verger. On leaving school he worked at the Post Office as a telegraph boy and at 16, being a very tall and well-set-up young man, he joined the South Staffords, five years ago. After two-and-half years he was discharged with sciatica and entered the service of Major Thorpe of Coddington Hall and Ardbrecknish. Subsequently employed as a footman at an establishment in Wiltshire. When war broke out he made many attempts to rejoin. Eventually he was accepted into the South Staffords last winter and within a few weeks was out in France. Killed in action. All three of Mr West’s sons have seen service. The eldest, William served 21 years in the South Staffords, but did not live long after leaving. Sgt.Major Fred West, was in the South African War and rejoined at the outbreak, at present at the War Office.
No Photos