Photograph by S Huxford 2011
Commander Charles Skeffington West was educated at H.M.S. Britannia, England. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge University. He fought in the First World War, where he was mentioned in despatches three times and was wounded. He gained the rank of Commander in the service of the Royal Navy. He was commander of the Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He was decorated with the award of Companion, Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) in 1917. He was killed by the end of that year.*
The War Office issued the following notice in April 1917:
‘T/Lt.-Com. Charles Skeffington West, R.N.V.R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rendered invaluable service by most ably guiding and placing companies of the battalion in their battle positions within 400 yards of the enemy. He worked continuously under heavy hostile shell-fire, and was largely responsible for the success of the operations’. http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyBritishLGDecorations1917.htm
* Citations: Ireland, 4th ed. (London, U.K.: Burkes Peerage Ltd, 1958), page 753. Hereinafter cited as Landed Gentry of Ireland.
He is buried in Metz-en-couture cemetery. We do not know what he and the battalion were doing there but it is interesting to note that in that cemetery lie 5 other Royal Naval Volunteer reserve officers.
His family lived at Chetwode in Wokingham. The house itself no longer exists but there is a little lodge house on the main road by St Crispin’s school called Chetwode and a close of detached houses just behind there called Chetwode close.
His mother and my great grandmother – Annette Delap (the surname was later changed to Dunlop) – were sisters. His mother’s name was Helen Mary Delap/Dunlop
Annette married Admiral Sir Francis Leopold McClintock.
See this site for his medals which were sold at Spinks for £7,500
https://www.spink.com/lot-description.aspx?id=10088 – it also details his Naval career.
Thank you for a GREAT site! You’ve done a lot of hard work.
Regards Sylvia
FROM MITCHELL MEDARIS / AUSTRALIA: Hi, I have seen your West/Skeffington tree and would like to let you know about Charles Skeffington West’s 1st cousin, Richard Annesley West VC. his father Augustus George West was brother to Henry Matthew West. I attended the 100th anniversary of Richard’s death last year on the 2 Sep 1918 just short of Armistice Day in Cheltenham, UK last year. There are many West cousins that have been in the military but Richard was the only one to be awarded the Victoria Cross although posthumously. Since the two towns are not very far apart, I thought you might like to include him in your tree, regards Mitchell in Australia
Please could you ask Mitchell in Australia to get in touch with me?
Many thanks, Sylvia
Yes, I’ll get on it Sylvia
Hi Sylvia, did you manage to make contact with Mitchell in Australia. I tried to track him down and found a workplace address, but received no reply.
Mike