Five: Victualling Chief Petty Officer C. H. West, Royal Navy

China 1900, no clasp (C. H. West, S.S. Asst., H.M.S. Hermione.); 1914-15 Star (340735, C. H. West, Sh. Std., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (340735 C. H. West. V.C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (340735 C. H. West, Sh. Steward, H.M.S. Pembroke.) contact marks, very fine or better (5) £300-£400

Charles Henry West was born in Dunleer, County Louth in May 1880. He enlisted into the Royal Navy in June 1895 and was first assigned to H.M.S. Pembroke as a Ship’s Steward Boy. In April 1898 he was posted to the cruiser, H.M.S. Hermione and was aboard during her involvement in the Boxer Rebellion. He was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in May 1913 whilst serving in H.M.S. Pembroke. Much of West’s Great War service was aboard H.M.S. Abercrombie, a big gun monitor which provided fire support during the Battle of Gallipoli. He was demobilised in July 1920 having reached the rate of Victualling Chief Petty Officer.