Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private A. West, 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916

1914 Star (8472 Pte. A. West. 2/R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8472 Pte. A. West. R. Berks. R.) generally good very fine (3) £400-£500

Arthur West served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 6 November 1914. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On the latter date the Battalion served as part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division during the attack on Ovillers, ‘very early in assault leading waves met tremendous machine gun and rifle fire and by 9am over half of Battalion had been lost. Withdrew to Long Valley. Casualties - 437.’ (British Battalions on the Somme by R. Westlake, refers)

Private West is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France.