Born in Lancashire (England), he migrated in 1879 at the age of 17 and after a time in Sydney he moved to Cambewarra which was then a thriving township.

He established a bakery on the corner of Hockeys Lane, and was noted as a caterer for local events, and decorating wedding cakes.

By the time fire damaged his premises in 1907 he had established a branch in Nowra which would continue for many years.

The new style entertainment of movies had been shown periodically in the School of Arts, and Dad West opened Nowra's first theatre during 1912.

It was initially an open-air theatre in Berry Street, a few blocks north of the current Roxy Theatre.

From the start he regularly organised charity nights for local organisations, particularly relating to the war effort.

Prior to the Waratah Recruiting March in 1915 he gave a free night out for recruits and staff.

When the Waratahs were farewelled the following year, the function in West's Crown Theatre attracted a crowd estimated at 1000.

In 1931 he built a new Crown Theatre on the corner of Junction and Berry Streets, and when rebuilt in 1941 it was called Wests.

Despite being 78 years of age, he enthusiastically completed this project, described in The Shoalhaven News: "the ultra modern theatre stands there complete in its magnificence, truly a monument of beauty in this very important town".

While most theatres held Saturday afternoon matinees for children, Dad had a long-standing policy not to hold them in the belief youngsters were better off playing in the fresh air.

Business activities would have satisfied most men, but Dad West was also heavily involved in a multitude of sports.

Obituaries stated that he had been a top class sprinter, and that he had represented NSW at soccer.

While at Cambewarra he played rugby, and he was at the forefront when rugby league became prominent.

A member of the first committee, he was treasurer of the South Coast Rugby League from 1921 to 1946, and was honoured with life membership.

He also excelled at cricket, scoring the first recorded century in the Shoalhaven association, in 1895-96.

Active for many years, he made a final comeback in 1930-31 aged 68, and he became the first association life member in 1935.

When he died in 1951 aged 89, Dad was perhaps the most honoured Nowra citizen because of the support he had given the community through his picture shows.

Apart from the sporting honours mentioned, he was also a life member of the show society, the ambulance service and the RSL sub-branch.