In memoriam

West had earlier served in the Boer War. He arrived in France in August 1914 as a Lieutenant in A or C Squadron, North Irish Horse, later serving in the Tank Corps. He was the son of Augustus E and Sarah West of Whitepark, County Fermanagh, and husband of Maude E West of 14 Trafalgar Square, Chelsea, London. West is buried at Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, grave III.G.4.

Grave inscription reads as follows:

LIEUTENANT COLONEL

R. A. WEST

V.C. D.S.O. AND BAR. M.C.

NORTH IRISH HORSE

ATTD. TANK CORPS

2ND SEPTEMBER 1918 AGE 40

GREATER LOVE

HATH NO MAN THAN THIS

THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE

FOR HIS FRIENDS

West's Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was notified in the London Gazette, Supplement to issue 30450, on 1 January 1918.

His Victoria Cross (VC) was notified in the London Gazette, Second Supplement to issue 30982, with the following citation:

"Capt. (A./Lt.-Col.) Richard Annesley West, D.S.O., M.C., late North Irish Horse (Cav. S.R.) and Tank Corps. For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice. During an attack, the infantry having lost their bearings in the dense fog, this officer at once collected and re-organised any men he could find and led them to their objective in face of heavy machine-gun fire. Throughout the whole action he displayed the most utter disregard of danger, and the capture of the objective was in a great part due to his initiative and gallantry. On a subsequent occasion it was intended that a battalion of light Tanks under the command of this officer should exploit the initial infantry and heavy Tank attack. He therefore went forward in order to keep in touch with the progress of the battle, and arrived at the front line when the enemy were in process of delivering a local counterattack. The infantry battalion had suffered heavy officer casualties, and its flanks were exposed. Realising that there was a danger of the battalion giving way, he at once rode out in front of them under extremely heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and rallied the men. In spite of the fact that the enemy were close upon him he took charge of the situation and detailed non-commissioned officers to replace officer casualties. He then rode up and down in front of them in face of certain death, encouraging the men and calling to them, "Stick it, men; show them fight; and for God's sake put up a good fight." He fell riddled by machine-gun bullets. The magnificent bravery of this very gallant officer at the critical moment inspired the infantry to redoubled efforts, and the hostile attack was defeated."

West's DSO Bar and Military Cross (MC) were notified in the London Gazette, Supplement to issue 30997. The citation for the DSO Bar read:

"Capt. (A./Lt.-Col.) Richard Annesley West,D.S.O., M.C., N. Ir. Horse (S.R.), attd. Tank Corps. For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. In addition to directing his Tanks, he rallied and led forward small bodies of infantry lost in the mist, showing throughout a splendid example of leadership and a total disregard of personal safety, and materially contributed to the success of the operations. He commanded the battalion most of the time, his C.O. being early killed. (D.S.O. gazetted 1st January, 1918.)"

The citation for the MC read:

"Capt. (A./Maj.) Richard Annesley West, D.S.O., N. Ir. Horse, S.R.,.attd. Tank Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership. He commanded a company of light Tanks with great skill. He had two horses shot under him during the day, and he and his orderly killed five of the enemy and took seven prisoners. He rendered great services to the cavalry by his personal reconnaissances, and later in the day, under heavy machine-gun fire, he rallied the crews of disabled Tanks and withdrew them with great skill. He set a splendid example of courage and devotion to duty throughout the operations.