Richard Annesley West
| Richard Annesley West | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
26 September 1878 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire |
| Died |
2 September 1918 (aged 39) Courcelles, France |
| Buried at | Morey Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit |
Imperial Yeomanry North Irish Horse |
| Commands held | 6th Battalion, Tank Corps |
| Battles/wars |
Second Boer War World War I |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order & bar Military Cross |
Richard Annesley West VC DSO & Bar MC (26 September 1878 – 2 September 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
He was 39 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in the North Irish Horse, seconded to 6th Battalion, Tank Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 August 1918 at Courcelles, France, during an attack, the infantry lost their bearings in dense fog and Lieutenant Colonel West at once collected any men he could find and led them to their objective, in face of heavy machine-gun fire. On 2 September at Vaulx-Vraucourt, he arrived at the front line when the enemy were delivering a local counter-attack. The infantry battalion had suffered heavy officer casualties and realizing the danger if they gave way, and despite the enemy being almost upon them, Colonel West rode up and down in face of certain death, encouraging the men. He fell riddled with bullets. His magnificent bravery at a critical moment so inspired the infantry that the hostile attack was defeated.[1]
He is buried at the Morey Abbey Military Cemetery, Mory.[2]
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Tank Museum, Dorset, England.
References
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30982. p. 12801. 30 October 1918. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ↑ Casualty details—West, Richard Annesley, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
The Daily Telegraph: The ultimate sacrifice of a true British hero 30 July 2014 by Lord Ashcroft