Lydia West was born as Lydia Hartley on 16 October 1887, a daughter of Richard Johnson Hartley (b.1860) and Lydia Maria Hartley née Huff (1865-1914). Her birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Lambeth registration district.
In the 1901 census she is shown as living at 1a Commercial Road, Lambeth, with her parents. Her father's occupation was recorded as a lighterman. (Commercial Road has subsequently been renamed as Upper Ground, London, SE1).
Lambeth registration district registers show that as Lydia Johnson Hartley she married Charles William West (1883-1940) in the 4th quarter of 1907. Their son, Charles William West (1910-1995) was born on 15 May 1910 in Finsbury. The 1911 census shows her living in one room at 42 Lancaster Street, Southwark, with her husband and their son. Her husband's occupation was described as a 'borough council scavenger'.
Electoral registers list her as Lydia West from 1920 to 1929 together with her husband at 12A Risborough Street, Union Street, Southwark and from 1931 to 1939 she is shown as such with her husband and their son at 134B Union Street, London, SE1.
The 1939 England and Wales Register records her as Lydia J. West, confirming her date of birth and listing her occupation as 'unpaid domestic duties', living with her husband and their son at 134B Union Street, Southwark. Her husband's occupation was given as a 'street cleaner (Finsbury B.C.)' and her son was shown as a 'draughtsman G.P.O. Eng. Dept'.
She died, aged 52 years, on 10 September 1940, as a result of enemy action when a bomb fell on the Ewer Street air raid shelter. Amongst the others killed was her husband. Her name can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and it is also recorded in The Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 that is kept just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey. Both her and her husband's names are listed on the memorial in Camberwell New Cemetery and Crematorium, Brenchley Gardens, London, SE23 3RD.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
