William Henry West

William was born in Portsmouth in 1821. He became a cadet in the East India Company army, attached to the 1st Fusiliers. He married Jane Fosket who died soon after giving birth to their first child - Charles. He sent his son to be looked after by his brother's family in a cooler part of India but he unfortunately died there.

After serving 3 years in India he returned to England but signed up again to fight in the Crimean War. Here he achieved the rank of major. However one night he fell into an open drain and suffered internal injuries and was sent home to England. After a few months of suffering he died in his mother's arms, at the age of 35. He is buried with his grandfather in Kensal Green.