Font Size 16px
Bacchus Marsh
Avenue of Honour

Deprecated: strlen(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /home/public/www.bacchusmarsh.avenueofhonour.org.au/people.php on line 1082
Surnames beginning with [ ] - Results 281

Sergeant Charles George West MM

Service No.:
5431
Unit:
22nd Battalion
Tree No.:
N277
Planted by:
Miss Ethel West (Sister)
Image of plaque on tree N277 for Charles West
See Notes (1) (2)
Image of Military Medal Image of Service Medal - British War Medal Image of Service Medal - Victory Medal
Portrait of Charles West
click to enlarge
Charles West
Courtesy of
Alan West
Son of
Charles West MM

Charles was born at Lake Rowan, VIC in 1887 to William West and Elizabeth Sims. Charles had two brothers, William and Norman, who are also remembered in the Avenue.

Charles was a farmer at Rowsley, VIC - near Bacchus Marsh - when he enlisted (3) at Bacchus Marsh in the AIF on the 26th of January 1916, aged 28⅔. He embarked aboard the HMAT A32 Themistocles with the 14th Reinforcements, 22nd Battalion in late July and disembarked at Plymouth, England in September.

Group photo of brothers, Charles, Norman & William West
click to enlarge
Brothers West, L - R
Charles, Norman & William
Courtesy of
Alan West
Son of
Charles West MM

In November 1916 Charles proceeded overseas to France and joined his unit in the field in early December and was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 1917. He spent a week at a Field Ambulance in March 1918 where he was treated for scabies. In August Charles was promoted to Corporal and six days later his actions saw him awarded the Military Medal:-

At BLACK WOOD near HERBECOURT East of VILLERS BRETONNEUX on the 28th August 1918, this N.C.O. led a bombing party along an occupied German trench in spite of strong resistance succeeded in clearing the trench and establishing a post.
Shortly afterwarsd [sic] the post was determinedly counter attacked by a superior enemy force. Corporal WEST'S men were all of a new draft and had not been in the trenches before, but he rallied the men and going forward into a dangerous and exposed position bombed the enemy himself. He remained throwing bombs which were handed to him by the remainder of the party, to such an effect that the attack was completely repelled. His personal disregard of danger and initiative materially assisted the operation.

Source: Recommendation for the Military Medal

Shortly after this event Charles was promoted to Lance Sergeant - for gallantry in action. In April 1919 Charles was further promoted to Temporary Sergeant and returned to England. He embarked aboard the Port Darwin in June, returning to Australia in late July and was discharged from the AIF in September.

Charles enlisted at Tatura, VIC in the Australian Army in June 1940, aged 53 - he put his age down by five years when he enlisted. He was discharged from the Army in October 1945 with the rank of Lance Sergeant, his last posting, Murchison POW Group.

Charles died at Elmore, VIC in 1964, aged 77.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bacchus Marsh.

Notes

  1. His service number should read 5431 not 5481.
  2. He was a Corporal when the Avenue was planted.
  3. His brother, Norman, enlisted at the same time, in the same unit.

Location of Tree Number N277

Map Options


Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68811802454493, 144.47528839120258

Learn how find this tree in Google Maps and get directions
  1. Copy the latitude and longitude located just below the map.

    There is now a button to copy the coordinates to the clipboard!
  2. Open Google Maps.
  3. Locate yourself on the map - not required on a moblie device.
  4. There is a search box in the top left corner.
  5. Paste the latitude and longitude into the search box press return.
  6. Press the directions button.

Related Links

Last updated by lee, Tue, 04 May 2021 11:56:40