West, Charles. 1917

Charles Skeffington West. Died 30 December 1917.

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.