Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A rare Second War C.B., inter-War ‘North West Frontier 1930-31 Operations’ D.S.O., Great War ‘1914 Operations’ M.C. group of twelve awarded to Major-General C. A. West, Royal Engineers, latterly Assistant Chief of Staff at S.H.A.E.F. The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, the reverse central medallion slightly recessed, and with traces of repair; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 star, with clasp (Lieut: C. A. West. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. C. A. West.) the VM renamed; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier, with M.I.D. oak leaf 1930-31 (Major C. A. West. D.S.O., M.C., R.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the Second War awards inscribed Boots-style ‘Maj. Gen. C. A. West’, rank on the Defence Medal partially corrected; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn, generally good very fine (12) £3,600-£4,400 --- C.B. London Gazette 8 June 1944. D.S.O. London Gazette 7 May 1932: ‘For distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with military operation on the North-West Frontier of India during the period October 1930 to March 1931.’ M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. Clement Arthur West was born in India in August 1892 and was educated at King’s School, Canterbury and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers in July 1912, he was advanced to Lieutenant shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. West arrived in France with the 54th Field Company, R.E. on 5 October 1914, and was subsequently present at Mons, Le Cateau, the crossing of the Marne and Aisne, La Bassee and Ypres, and remained on active service until 1 February 1915, services for which he was awarded the Military Cross and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915). He was also severely wounded during this period. Returning to active duty with 227th Field Company, R.E. in August 1916, he was employed in the battle of Thiepval in the following month, prior to being assigned to the British 66th Division as Adjutant to the Commander Royal Engineers (C.R.E.) that October. West remained similarly employed until July 1918 and was again Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 4 December 1917). Between the wars West enjoyed a series of staff appointments, in addition to another stint of active service on the North West Frontier as a Brigade Major between 1930-31, the latter operations resulting in him being awarded the D.S.O. and a further Mention in Despatches. In May 1932, he became a G.S.O. 2 at Army H.Q., India, but in October 1934 he returned home to take up a new appointment as Deputy Assistant Military Secretary at the War Office. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, West served as a Brigadier on the General Staff 1940-42, during which period he joined a delegation sent to the New Zealand Government. Advanced to Major-General on the General Staff in 1943, he next became a District Commander, Home Forces, and latterly an Assistant Chief of Staff at S.H.A.E.F., being appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1944. He retired in January 1947 and died in September 1972. Sold with a portrait photographic image of the recipient and copied research.