Privates W and E West – A Patriotic Bedfordshire Family
In our issue of August 25th 1916, we recorded the interesting fact that Mr Jonathan West, of Wymington, had six sons serving with the Colours (Driver Charles E West and Privates Sidney, Stephen J, Harry, William, and Edward West) and that the only other son of military age is a railway porter at St Helens, and that the railway company were keeping him back, otherwise he also would have been in the Forces. Recently another of Mr West’s ten sons (Oliver Russell West) had reached military age, and he has now joined the Bedfordshire Regiment.

We regret to add that two of the soldier brothers are missing:-

Pte Edward West 10377 — Battalion Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, D Company, 16th Platoon, B.E.F., reported wounded and missing since July 31st – August 6th.

Pte William [Wilberforce] West 43665 3rd Platoon, W Company, Lewis Gun Section, Essex Regiment, B.E.F., missing since April 14th.

Any information regarding the soldiers would be gratefully received by Mr Jonathan West, Wymington, near Rushden, Northants.

Wymington Soldier’s Fate – Presumed to be Dead

Pte. Wilberforce West, Essex Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan West, of Wymington, who has been missing since April 14th last year, has been officially presumed dead. Before joining the Army, he was employed by Mr. W. G. Wilmott, contractor, Rushden.

Mr. and Mrs. West had seven sons serving, one of whom had been killed in action, and two are missing. Charles (the elder) is in hospital with concussion of the ear; Sidney is in France; Harry, home on leave, has been wounded once; Russell is in Scotland; Edward is missing; John was killed in action; and Wilberforce is missing and presumed killed. Mr. and Mrs. West’s son-in-law, Stoker Whiting of Rushden, was drowned at sea.