Commonwealth Second World War Grave - Warrant Officer Second Class, Sergeant Major William Alfred West - Met With A Fatal Accident

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

 

 

 

William Alfred West was born on 12th October 1909 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to Christopher Charles West, a refreshment house keeper, and his wife Louise Garraway.

 

William first appears aged one year old on the 1911 Census, living with his parents and older brother Christopher John West at 8 Bridge Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.  Living with the family at the time is William's paternal grandmother Mary Ann West. The family are still at 8 Bridge Street on the 1921 Census, living with the family is William's paternal uncle Frederick West, a waterman. Boarding with the family is Vetsa Linda Eva Allen, who is working in Charles West's refreshment house, and Alfred Hawkes, who is a printing compositor. 

In 1939 William was assisting his father in the refreshment house business, as well as his brother Christopher, and his sister-in-law Evelyn West. Living with the family is William's young nephew Robert West.  Helping towards the war effort William is an Auxiliary Fireman and his brother Christopher is an Air Raid Warden.

 

At some point after the outbreak of World War Two, William joined  The King's Royal Rifle Corps, becoming a Warrant Officer, Second Class.  Sadly William was to pass away on 19th August 1942.

On 26th August 1942 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Death of Sergt.-Major W. A.West.

Sergt.-Major. William A. West, son of Mr. and Mrs. C .C. West, 8 Bridge-street, Maidenhead, met with a fatal accident at Keswick, Cumberland, on Wednesday last week. Aged 32, he was a motoring instructor in the Army. In pre-war days he was well-known as an international motor-cyclist and was a member of a number of motor cycle clubs. The internment took place at Maidenhead Cemetery on Monday. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack."