Born in London; studied at St Thomas's Hospital, where he was Dresser to John Flint South (qv), and took honours in anatomy at the 1st MB, but never graduated at the University of London. After qualifying he was appointed House Surgeon at the Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, in 1854, when the Medical School was starting. In 1857 he was elected Surgeon and held that post for the following twenty-six years. At the same time he acted as Professor of Anatomy at Queen's College. He was an active member of the Birmingham Branch of the British Medical Association, and was for a long time on the Council, being at one time President, also Chairman of the Pathological and Clinical Sections. Whilst belonging to the old school, he adopted some part of Lister's method. He made frequent visits to Continental hospitals and took copious notes of his observations, which he handed on to the students attending his classes. He practised at 51 Union Passage, and lived at 117 Harley Road, Birmingham. His health failed early, dropsy and oedema of the lungs supervened, and he died on March 24th, 1883. West published papers on surgical cases, also observations on French and German surgery, was a leading member, and for one year President, of the Birmingham Shakespearean Dramatic Club.