We Remember

William West

William West
Rank: 
Lance Corporal
Regimental number: 
164368
Unit at enlistment: 
84th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
November 23rd, 1916
Cemetery: 
Contay British Cemetery - Somme, France - IV.E.15
Commemorated at: 
Grace Anglican Church, Sons of England Memorial Plaque
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Northamptonshire
Birth city: 
Northampton
Address at enlistment: 
13 Alonzo Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
13 Alonzo Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Shoemaker
Employer: 
Brandon Shoe Co.
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
35
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Died of Wounds No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station. GSW Legs and Right Chest

BX December 2, 1916

Lance Corporal William West Died of Wounds – No Notification Previously Received That He Had Been Wounded

Lance Corporal William West, who enlisted here with the 84th Battalion, has died of his wounds in the No. 9 Casualty clearing station, according to the fateful message received this morning by his wife, Maud Alice West, 13 Alonzo Street.

No word had been received by Mrs. West to the effect that her husband had been wounded and the wire this morning was all the more tragic. On Friday she had a letter from him stating that he was going into the trenches the following night.

Prior to enlisting Corporal West was employed as a shoemaker at Brandon’s factory. He is survived by his wife and four children. He also leaves a brother in Galt and another brother in the old country and his mother and sisters, who also reside in the old country. He has been a resident of Canada for about five years. 

BX December 5, 1916

Officially Reported

In this morning’s casualty list is officially reported that Lance Corporal William West has died from his wounds.

BX January 6, 1917

Lance Corporal William West Hit in Advance – Afterwards Succumbed to His Wounds – Tribute from Commander

Wounded in an advance on the enemy position on Nov. 18, Lance Corporal W. West of Brantford succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards according to word just received by his wife. The letter from his commanding officer follows:

France
Dec. 17, 1916

Dear Mrs. West,

As the war continues we not only see but hear that some of the nation’s bravest sons have made the supreme sacrifice. Your husband, Lance-Corp. W. West, was in an advance on the enemy position on Nov. 18, in which the position was taken along with many prisoners, in addition to casualties. But unfortunately, some of our own fell as part of the price. Your husband was wounded and evacuated to the hospital, and information has just come to me that the wound proved fatal. 

Mrs. West, your husband has “Gone West” as the soldiers say, but he has left a memory that is a comfort to you, but an example to others. He was looked up to by others of the men and his opinion sought by the officers and respected. He was honest and true in faith and duty, to such an extent that he was one of the few whom I was able to recommend for the Military Medal for work done on the day which afterwards cost him his life – “for conspicuous action in leading, directing and controlling his men in the advance.”  Always cool and collected, he was not only willing to do his bit but his all.

His body was buried at No. 9. C.C.S., where he died on November 23. His will is with the war office, from which you will hear in due course. Anything he may have had with him will be sent you through the regular channels.

You lost a husband. I have lost more than a soldier and non-commissioned officer. I have lost a man whom I considered a friend and one whose influence was of the best. His memory as a true hero, giving his life for duty, will be a source of comfort to you. The officers, non-commissioned officers and men join with me in sincerest sympathy.

Sincerely yours,

Jeffrey Bull, Major 

BX February 10, 1916

Twenty-Two Members of Brantford Cricket Club are Now in Khaki – Annual Meeting Held Last Night – Captain W. West Was Given Presentation Before He Leaves for Overseas – H. Phillips Was Elected President – Players of Former Days will be Asked to Don the Flannels Once Again to Keep the Crease Fit

The annual general meeting of the Brantford Cricket Association was held last evening at Henderson’s Café, a small but enthusiastic gathering being present; six of the members wearing khaki, making a total who have answered their country’s call of 22, out of a membership of 30 active players.

After the good things prepared by Mine Host Henderson had been disposed of and the toast “The King,” honoured in due form, the chairman, Mr. G. Whitwill, called on the captain of last year’s team, W. West, to give his report which showed that although some of the best players were away last summer, the club gave a good account of itself in 1915, the players being particularly proud of winning out from the strong West Toronto team, which visited Brantford on Dominion Day last.

The secretary-treasurer, J.F. Van Lane, was then called on for his report, the financial position was found to break about even owing to the economy which had been practised during the past season. This saving was largely brought about by the untiring efforts of the captain, W. West, who had taken full charge of the grounds without remuneration.

A Presentation

The chairman then asked the captain to come forward and the secretary read to him the following address on behalf of the club and asked his acceptance of a wrist watch as a slight token of the members’ appreciation:
    
“Corporal William West. The honor has been conferred upon me of expressing, on behalf of the Brantford Cricket Club, its great and sincere appreciation of the never-failing interest you have taken in its welfare during the five or six years you have been a member. It was mainly through your efforts as captain last year that the club was able to complete its engagements for the season. You undertook full charge of the ground and each week organized the teams. You spent nearly the whole of your spare time in watering and cutting the grass, rolling the pitch and otherwise keeping the ground in good condition. This considerable sacrifice of your time and energy was a great saving to the club at a time, when owing to enlistment of members and the great reduction in the financial aid given to the club through other calls upon its supporters. It was not in a position to incur the necessary expense.

“The spirit of self-sacrifice you have so generously shown in advancing the interests of the Brantford Cricket Club you have recently applied to a much larger and more important field of activity, by your enlistment for the service of your King and Empire, and the protection of the rights of humanity against attacks by an unscrupulous and inhumane aggressor. This action on your part commands the respect and admiration of your fellow members in a measure beyond what is usually accorded. To the risks and discomforts of active service we appreciate, must be added to the fact that your enlistment involves a heavy financial sacrifice in the surrender of a good business position and that you will be under the necessity of leaving behind a wife and four small children of whose society and care you will consequently be deprived.

“The Brantford Cricket Club is proud of the fact that 22 of its members have joined the active forces of the Empire; a record which, in proportion to the members it will be difficult, if not impossible, for any other organization in the city to equal. It has not been in the power of the club, much as it would wish, to give to each, any tangible evidence of the good will and esteem of the members they have left behind. We feel, however, for the reasons I have stated, an exception ought to be made in your case. I have therefore the honor to present to you, on behalf of the Brantford Cricket Club this wrist watch as a small token of the great respect we entertain for you, and of our appreciation of the valuable services you have rendered to us in the past. At the same time, on behalf of your fellow members and myself, I express the fervent home that good luck will accompany you in the discharge of the dangerous duties you have assumed, that success in the service will reward your efforts, and that you will in due course, at the close of a successful war, return to us none the worse for your military experiences.”

Signed on behalf off the Brantford Cricket Club
J.F. Van Lane, Secretary

W. West replied suitably, thanking the members for their kindly thought and assuring them that although he hoped to be in France during he coming cricket season his thoughts would be with the cricket club, and he hoped the members would be successful in keeping the club together until his return.

BX December 5, 1916

Corporal West Was Cricketer – Will Be Much Missed as Captain, Coach and Grounds Man of Club

By the passing of William West, whose death was reported in the casualty list from Ottawa a few days ago, the Brantford Cricket Club loses one of its most prominent members and players. Mr. West at the time of his enlistment was captain of the club, also was acting in the capacity of coach and grounds man. The members had the pleasure just prior to his departure, of making him a presentation at an informal banquet held in the city, as a small token for the work he had accomplished, and for his interest in the good old game in Brantford and of his genial good-fellowship. The club being composed mostly of Englishmen, it has been particularly hard hit by the war, no less than 35 players having enlisted.

BX February 10, 1917

A meeting of cricketers was held in the Y.M.C.A. for the purpose of discussing plans for the coming season.  The ranks have become very much depleted through the war, the active members of the club, composed mostly of Englishmen, having enlisted, several having made the supreme sacrifice, among them being William West, late captain of the club. Another meeting will be held shortly when the election of officers will take place and the season’s work planned out.

Continue your search

Go back to WWI records search