Lewis Victor West
Lewis Victor West was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England in 1879. Lewis was the fourth son of eight.
He also had an older sister. His oldest brother Elijah was 8 when he was born. Lewis, and three of his younger brothers were all baptised November 25, 1891 at St. Matthew's in Norwich.
His father Richard Thomas West was a cooper. His mother Emily Isabella (Sayer) West was from a family of 'Rat Destroyers'. During his early years, his family lived at 275 Gas Hill.
Several of the boys served in the military, as did Lewis. He joined the 49th Northampton Regiment when he was 16 years old. Apparently he deserted just after his 17th birthday, but was returned to the regiment. Since he was under-aged when he signed up, there was technically not a lot that the army could do.
1897 Norfolk News - Deserted Soldier returned - Lewis West (19), of Egyptian Road, was charged with deserting from the Northamptonshire Regiment, stationed at Northampton, on December 11th. Detective - sergeant Slaughter produced the Police Gazette of January 1st, in which he found Lewis West scheduled as an army deserter. The description given tallied with the prisoner. On Monday afternoon witness saw the prisoner in Fishgate Street, and told him he answered the description of a deserter. Prisoner said, ` Yes, I am Lewis West. I expected you before. West now admitted that he was a deserter, and was ordered to be handed over to the military authorities at the Britannia Barracks.
Published: Wednesday 20 January 1897 Newspaper: Eastern Daily Press County: Norfolk, England
Published: Saturday 23 January 1897 Newspaper: Norfolk News County: Norfolk, England
The lost time was later re-added to his official record as he agreed to a 12 year contract with the military. He was stationed with the 2nd Battalion for just over a year, than transferred to the 1st Battalion and was stationed in India for almost seven years. He was then returned home in January 1905, essentially on reserve to finish his contract in October 1908.
On April 16, 1906, he married Ellen Richardson in St. Matthew's Church in Norwich. The 1911 census states that he was a self-employed Baker of bread and biscuits working out of his own home. By this time, they had three children, though Lewis had died as an infant. Eleanor Elizabeth was 4 years old, and William Frederick was 2.
In 1912, Lewis left England again, this time on board the Grampian headed for a new life in Canada. The boat docked in Quebec City, and he headed for Toronto. After Lewis obtained a position in a factory, Ellen and the two children followed in August on board the Royal George
In Toronto, Dorothy Maud, Evelyn, and Louise were born over the next 7 years. Lewis was working as a baker in 1915 when he signed up for World War 1 duty on October 4, 1915. At the time he was 39 years old, 5 foot 6 3/4 inches, with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a dark complexion. He enlisted with the 36th Battalion but was shortly after transferred to the CEF 126th Overseas Battalion in Peel region. On December 7th, he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major, which was the highest non-commissioned officer in the unit. After arriving in England, the 126th was absorbed and disbanded. Lewis was transferred into the 109th Infantry in October, and then the 124th in December of 1916. In March of 1917, he was transferred to the 12th Battalion until the end of December 1917 when he was sent home for medical reasons due to shortness of breath and obesity. He was discharged on February 6, 1918.
According to voter lists, in 1935 and in 1945 Lewis, Ellen and Fred were living in Otter Lake Station near Parry Sound. Lewis was listed as a farmer both years. In 1953, Lewis and Ellen are listed on the voter's list in Charlton, Ontario along with Fred and Ida.
Lewis died at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto on his 82nd birthday, December 6, 1961. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ontario along with Ellen and his daughter Evelyn.
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