Charles William West was born on 10 February 1883 in Southwark.
Lambeth registration district registers show that he married Lydia Johnson Hartley (1887-1940) 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 him living in one room at 42 Lancaster Street, Southwark, with his wife and their son. His occupation was described as a 'borough council scavenger'.
Electoral registers list him and his wife from 1920 to 1929 at 12A Risborough Street, Union Street, Southwark and from 1931 to 1939 he is shown with his wife and their son at 134B Union Street, London, SE1.
The 1939 England and Wales Register confirms his date of birth and records him living with his wife and their son at 134B Union Street, Southwark. His occupation was given as a 'street cleaner (Finsbury B.C.)' and their son was shown as a 'draughtsman G.P.O. Eng. Dept'. His wife was shown as 'unpaid domestic duties'.
He died, aged 57 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 his wife. His 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. However, both show his age incorrectly as 55 years.
Both his and his wife'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.
