South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 29 Mar 1915 in France | Twice Mentioned in Despatches | Bilton War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Battle of the Somme | Commissioned in 1908 | St. John's College, Oxford |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Ovillers, Somme | 4th South Midland Bde - renamed to 243 Bde | |
- 4 May 1908 - Promoted to Captain in South Midland Brigade (Gazette)
- 17 Dec 1914 - Promoted to Lt Col, 4th South Midland Brigade, RFA (Gazette)
Circumstances of Death
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Lt. Col West was killed in action by an exploding enemy shell on 28th September 1916. The 243rd Brigade (formerly 4th South Midland Brigade) war diary entry for the 28th September 1916 is transcribed below. Ovillers – 28.9.1916: At 1pm an attack was made on the Schwaben Redoubt, just north of Thiepval, and the larger part of it was captured. At 6pm an unsuccessful attempt was made on our front to take Hessian Trench in R.21.d. Casualties: Lt. Col. F.C.B. West killed by shell-fire. Other ranks wounded 2 Lt. Col. J.R. Colville, DSO 241st (S.M) Brigade, took over temporary command of the Right Group. Forward positions were reconnoitred for three Batteries south of Mouquet Farm and C/240 moved up their battery into position just North of Pozieres. Major Constantine C/243 Bty took command of the Brigade. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 29 Apr 1883 at Charlbury Vicarage | 3 Jun 1883 in Charlbury, Oxfordshire |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles Frederick and Eliza Hammond West | Both deceased |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Agatha M. West nee later Hosking | Eliza Mary b 16 May 1910 | Dorothy Ruth b 13 Jul 1912 |
| 2 Jun 1909 in Rugby | Barbara Winifred & Bridget Hester b 9 Nov 1913 |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Cheltenham College | St. Johns, Oxford |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1884 - The Vicarage, Charlbury | 1891 - Scholar |
| 1891 - The Vicarage, Charlbury | 1901 - Student at Cheltenham |
| 1901 - Lansdown Court East, Cheltenham | 1902 - Student at St. John's |
| 1911 - Bawnmore, Bilton | 1911 - Barrister |
| 1915 - Bawnmore, Bilton | |
- Called to the Bar in 1906 but never Practised
- Admitted to the Lawrence Sheriffe Freemasons Lodge in Rugby on 23 Oct 1913
- A Website dedicated to the 4th South Midland Brigade - later 243rd Brigade and Francis can be found here.
