WEST HAM, a borough of Essex, England, forming an east ward suburb of London. Pop. (1931) 294,086. The old church of All Saints has a good Perpendkular tower, and in the restoration of 1866 some early mural painting was discovered, and a Tran sitional Norman clerestory, remaining above the later nave. West Ham Park (8o ac.) occupies the site of Ham House, the residence of Samuel Gurney, the hanker and philanthropist. Few large houses now remain, but the smaller houses have greatly increased.
Within the borough are the extensive railway works of the L.N.E. railway at Stratford. This industrial centre is continued eastward to East Ham, where the old village church of St. Mary
Magdalene retains Norman portions.
At the time of the Conquest West Ham belonged to Alestan and Leured, two freemen, and at Domesday to Ralph Gernon and Ralph Peverel. It received the grant of a market and annual fair in 1253. The lordship was given to the abbey of Stratford, and, passing to the Crown at the dissolution, formed part of the dowry of Catherine of Portugal, and was therefore called the Queen's Manor. It was incorporated in 1886. West Ham returns 4 members to parliament.