Temple West Vice - Admiral Temple West ( 1714 – 9 August 1757 ) was a British naval officer , best known for his role as second - in - command to Admiral John Byng in the Battle of Minorca . Early career and family . West was a younger son of Rev . Dr . Richard West , archdeacon of Berkshire , and his wife Maria Temple , daughter of Sir Richard Temple , 3rd Baronet and sister of the influential Richard Temple , 1st Viscount Cobham and also Hester Grenville , 1st Countess Temple . His elder brother was the author Gilbert West . and his sister , Mary , married Admiral Alexander Hood , 1st Viscount Bridport . In 1738 , he was given command of " Deal Castle " , a 24 - gun sixth - rate . In 1742 , he was made captain of " Warwick " , a 60 - gun fourth - rate . During the Battle of Toulon , " Warwick " was one of three ships that broke up a Franco - Spanish movement to weather the British line , but did so contrary to orders . He was court - martial ed at Deptford on 13 December 1745 , found guilty , and dismissed the service , but was reinstated on 12 May 1746 by Order in Council . In 1747 , he commanded " Devonshire " as flag - captain to Vice - Admiral Sir Peter Warren at the Battle of Cape Finisterre . He married Frances Balchen , daughter of Admiral Sir John Balchen , and was the father of Balchen West and hence grandfather of Sir Edward West , first Chief Justice of Bombay . His other son , Martin West was Recorder of Lynn , who married Lady Maria Walpole , ( daughter of Horatio Walpole , 2nd Earl of Orford ) , by whom he had a son , The Rt Hon Sir Algernon West . GCB . Battle of Minorca . In 1756 , West , now a rear - admiral , was appointed second - in - command to Admiral Byng to lead a hastily - assembled squadron to the relief of Minorca . West sailed aboard " Buckingham " , Flag - Captain Michael Everitt , and the fleet saw action on 20 May 1756 , the day after their arrival . West had command of the van , which attacked the rear of the French van and drew heavy fire . In the rear , Byng , who had insufficient sail on to promptly come up and support the van , declined to put on further sail , citing the court - martial of Thomas Mathews at the Battle of Toulon . ( Mathews had attacked the enemy individually while flying a signal to attack in line of battle , resulting in a confused and disorderly attack . ) The French drew off at the end of the day , and the English fleet lacked the weather gage to pursue . After Minorca . Both Byng and West were recalled from command after the battle , beginning the process which culminated in the court - martial and execution of Byng , for failing to do his duty " to his utmost " . West , on the contrary , was received as a hero , and was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty on 17 November 1756 and promoted to Vice - Admiral . The fate of his superior greatly affected West , who afterwards declined a command , saying that " although he could answer for his loyalty and good intentions , he could not undertake to be held capitally responsible on all occasions for the correctness of his judgment " . He died not long after , on 9 August 1757 , and was buried in Westminster Abbey , where there is a handsome monument .