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Richard Annesley West (VC, DSO & Bar, MC) 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. Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st...
Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...
The English noun Commonwealth dates originally from the fifteenth century and in different contexts indicates: a political unit founded in law by agreement of the people for the common good; a federated union of constituent states; a republic; a Co-operative Commonwealth is a society based on cooperative and socialist...
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He was 39 years old, and an Acting Lieutenant Colonel in The North Irish Horse (S.R.), seconded to 6th Bn., Tank Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ...
Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million The First World...
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. August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...
1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...
Courcelles is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. ...
Further information One of the junior ranks that he may have inspired that day 2nd September 1918 at Vaulx-Vraucourt may well have been my great uncle, A/Sgt Roland Shaw of 2/4th Bn Yorks Light Infantry. All of Uncle Rol's officers had been killed or wounded early in the battle and according to the London Gazette "Cpl Shaw took command of the platoon, and though wounded himself he led the men forward with fine gallantry and endurance until the final objective, a position of the greatest importance, had been won. He gave in only when the consolidation was completed, when he was exhausted by loss of blood. His splendid example was worthy of great praise." For his gallantry Uncle Rol was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. God bless him.
The medal His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Tank Museum (Dorset, England).
References Monuments To Courage is a book by David Harvey, published in 1999. ...
The Register of the Victoria Cross A list of all 1350 Victoria Crosses with details of each recipient ISBN 0906324033 Publisher: Cheltenham: This England Books; 1981 Size: 8vo - over 7 3/4 - 9 3/4 Pagination: 303 + 4. ...
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External links
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
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