F West VC

19 January 2003, 12:12 PM

Hello all,

Nice an easy one (or two) for you.

Was F.West VC present when Manfred fell?
And if so, did he recieve a piece of fabric from Manfred's DR1?

Details on this matter will be much appreciated.
Cheers
Depressed

MikeW · 21 January 2003, 12:52 AM

Dear Depressed,

it might be an easy one, but who exactly was F West VC? Not an aviator obviously.

mike

21 January 2003, 05:09 AM

Are you telling me you don't know who Freddie West VC is? ???
He flew with 8 squadron RAF, flying 'Big Acks'. Or Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8's to you an I.
I hope this jars the memory.
Cheers
even more depressed :'(

EARTHLING · 21 January 2003, 09:04 AM

F.West died only recently and a year or so before had appeared with other survivors including G Lewis and film actress Glynis Johns father Mervyn Johns in a TV film on WW1.
I can't recall that he mentioned about MvR but that doesn't mean he didn't.

VBR

Peter S

MikeW · 21 January 2003, 10:16 AM

Dear Evenmoredepressed,

sorry to plumb the depths even further, but nope, never heard of the guy - my defense must be that he was obviously of RFC origin, and not a naval man.

I have read the "Air VCs" by Peter Cooksley (I think) but the name still does not ring a bell. I did live next door to a Fred West who emigrated to the States, got conscipted and had his head blown off in Nam. There is also the famous English serial killer Fred West, but I don't suppose he had anything to do with your man either!!

Seriously, I assumed that because your thread had not received a reply, no one had heard of Fred West - I humbly apologise!!

Mike

Graeme · 21 January 2003, 11:58 AM

Mike

Given his proper names, "Freddie" probably wouldn't ring any bells.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to Lieut, (actg. Capt.) Ferdinand Maurice Felix West, M.C., Royal Air Force (formerly of the Special Reserve, Royal Munster Fusiliers), in recognition of his outstanding bravery in aerial combat.

Captain West, while engaging hostile troops at a low altitude far over the enemy lines, was attacked by seven aircraft. Early in the engagement one of his legs was partially severed by an explosive bullet, and fell powerless into the controls, rendering the machine for the time unmanageable. Lifting his disabled leg, he regained control of the machine, and, although wounded in the other leg, he, with surpassing bravery and devotion to duty, manoeuvred his machine so skilfully that his observer was enabled to get several good bursts into the enemy machines, which drove them away. Captain West then, with rare courage, and determination, desperately wounded as he was, brought his machine over our lines and landed safely. Exhausted by his exertions, he fainted, but on regaining consciousness insisted on writing his report.

(The award of the Military Cross was gazetted on 26th July, 1918.)

Graeme

MikeW · 22 January 2003, 03:14 AM

Graeme,

Oh that F West!! I recall the incident but not the name, thanks for typing the citation.

Mike

22 January 2003, 05:19 AM

Hi Mike,

Sorry for being so presumptuous - I should of given you the full story (and name) before I put in my request. I just took it for granted that the learned folk on hear would know.
Can anyone expand on my original question?
Yours
Depressed

ehrenpries · 20 February 2003, 12:47 PM

GDay from downunder
For those interested in F West VC you may be interested to know that RAF Hendon Museum UK has (or had last time they sent me a catalogue) a small quantity of profile prints of his FK8 personally signed by him and his observer...(these are original signatures obviously done some years ago!)
They are for sale at what I think is an incredibly cheap price of about $60US.........but beware if you frame for display as both signatures are in ink and will fade if exposed to sunlight.
If anyone wants more details just ask?

Cheers

Tony (ehrenpries)

20 February 2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

GDay from downunder
For those interested in F West VC you may be interested to know that RAF Hendon Museum UK has (or had last time they sent me a catalogue) a small quantity of profile prints of *his FK8 personally signed by him and his observer...(these are original signatures obviously done some years ago!)
They are for sale at what I think is an incredibly cheap price of about $60US.........but beware if you frame for display as both signatures are in ink and will fade if exposed to sunlight.
If anyone wants more details just ask?

Cheers

Tony (ehrenpries)

Yeah, actually I am interested, but my wife likely won't be.