He was born at Mattishall, to a farming and cattle dealing family. After school he joined his father on their farm. He then farmed Park Farm, Honing for six years, taking over Rust Green Farm at Barnham Broom when his father retired in 1933. In 1941, he moved to Heath Farm, North Walsham. He was a member of the National Farmers' Union.
He was a church warden at St Nicholas Church, North Walsham. He was a Freemason of Unanimity Lodge.
He married Elizabeth F Perkin in 1928. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 1988. He had two sons who inherited his farms and three daughters
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Walsham Patrol | Patrol Corporal | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| D-Day Defending the IOW | Patrol Corporal | June 1944 | June 1944 |
Hardingham School, then Bracondale School, Norwich
Arable farmer
His 1991 obituary mentioned that he had been a member of the Special Unit of the local Home Guard
TNA ref WO199/3389
1939 Register
Sergeant West's diary
North Norfolk News 7 Oct 1988, 9 Aug 1991