English School, early 18th century Portrait of Colonel John West of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, seated, wearing armour over his burgundy frockcoat, and resting his elbow on a book, whilst holding a copy of 'Charron, Volume I', Pierre Charron's book 'Of Wisdom' Inscribed l.l. 'Colonel John West / 1740', oil on canvas 127 x 100cm Provenance: Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex. The Suffolk Regiment has a history stemming from 1685 when it was called up by the Duke of Norfolk as the 12th Regiment of Foot to curb the threatened Monmouth Rebellion. John West joined the 1st Foot Guards as an Ensign in 1694 and served at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704 (the first decisive victory over Louis XIV). He was appointed Major in Colonel Thomas Stanwix's Regiment of Foot in 1706 (until 1751 British Regiments were designated by the name of their colonels, and regimental names changed accordingly with the colonels) with whom he fought in Spain; he was then appointed Lieutenant Colonel in 1711. Stanwix's Regiment was disbanded in 1713 and West eventually returned to Bury St Edmunds and became a Governor of Bury Grammar School. He died in 1750 and is buried in St Mary's Church at Bury St Edmunds with the following monumental inscription: 'Here lie the remains of Colonel John West who served the Crown with reputation in various ranks of Command from Ensign to Lieut. Colonel having distinguished himself at all the memorable battles & sieges in the glorious reigns of King William & Queen Anne from the year 1693 to 1723'. For Suffolk Regiment veterans and enthusiasts, St Mary's Church is of particular interest because the main memorials of the Regiment are here. Colonel John West is also related, through his mother, to the famous Killigrew family of Cornwall which includes Thomas Killigrew, the celebrated wit of King Charles II's reign, Sir William Killigrew and Dr Henry Killigrew, both dramatic writers, Ann Killigrew the poet, Admiral Killigrew, a celebrated naval officer and General Robert Killigrew who died in 1707 and has a monument in Westminster Abbey. The family were staunch Royalists throughout the English Civil War and after losing Alwenack House in Falmouth to Parliamentary forces in 1646, took part in the historic six-month siege at Pendennis Castle. Condition report: Oil on canvas which has an old glue paste lining. There is a tear in the middle of the painting caused by impact from the reverse, there is scattered loss and flaking paint around this area. The paint layer appears stable overall. Some old damages have been repaired. The varnish has been partially cleaned with old residues in the darker paint passages. On the armour the old varnish has fractured and become opaque. The varnish is generally clear and even. 818 2HY old Christie's stencil to the reverse. Old stretcher bar marks can be seen from the front.