Richard Annesley West

Riding through gunfire to rally infantry and save their line

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Annesley West VC, DSO and Bar, MC rode into intense machine-gun fire on 2 September 1918 to rally British infantry threatened by a German counter-attack. With officers down and the battalion’s flanks exposed, the Tank Corps commander placed himself in front of the wavering line, appointed non-commissioned officers to replace casualties and urged the men to stand firm. He was killed encouraging them. The infantry held, and the German attack was defeated.

Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 26 September 1878, West was the son of a former British Army officer. He attended Monkton Combe School and Uckfield Agricultural College before beginning a military career that would span two wars and take him from the Imperial Yeomanry to command of a tank battalion.

West enlisted in the 45th, or Dublin, Company of the Imperial Yeomanry in January 1900. During the Second Boer War he served in Cape Colony, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, and was briefly taken prisoner. Returning to South Africa after his discharge, he obtained a commission in Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts. He subsequently worked in post-war repatriation and served with the Transvaal Horse Artillery Volunteers. In 1909 he married Maude Ethel Cushing in Pretoria.

At the outbreak of the First World War, West joined the North Irish Horse and went to France in August 1914. He served through the opening campaigns, including the Retreat from Mons, and was mentioned in Sir John French’s first wartime despatch. Later attached to the North Somerset Yeomanry, he distinguished himself at Monchy-le-Preux on 11 April 1917, positioning his squadron under heavy fire to help avert a German counter-attack. His Distinguished Service Order was announced in January 1918.

Attached to the Tank Corps, West brought a cavalryman’s mobility to the battlefield, frequently directing his light tanks from horseback. During the advance at Amiens on 8 August 1918, he identified targets for his tanks despite having two horses shot beneath him. Two days later he reconnoitred ahead of the cavalry and rallied stranded tank crews under fire. These actions earned him the Military Cross.

At Courcelles on 21 August, dense mist disrupted the attack. West maintained direction, gathered scattered infantry and led them forward, continuing on foot after his horse was shot. His leadership earned a Bar to his DSO and formed the first part of his Victoria Cross citation. The following day he became acting lieutenant colonel, commanding the 6th Battalion, Tank Corps.

His final action near Vaulx-Vraucourt on 2 September completed the record of courage recognised by the posthumous Victoria Cross. West was 39 when he died and was buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, France. His widow received his Victoria Cross from King George V in February 1919.

From Boer War trooper to decorated tank commander, Richard Annesley West repeatedly led from the point of greatest danger. His final sacrifice gave hard-pressed infantry the resolve to hold their ground.