Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Charles Edward Lionel West (Service No. 805), an Australian World War One veteran who served our nation at Gallipoli, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque on 15 April 2023, along with a further 246 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Charles Edward Lionel West was born in Brisbane on 25 June 1889, the son of Edward West and Mary Agnes West (née McCarthy). His English-born father and Australian mother had married in Brisbane in 1886. The family moved to Berkshire, England, during his early childhood, but by 1913 West had returned to Brisbane, where he was employed as a journalist.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Brisbane on 5 October 1914, stating his occupation as journalist and nominating his father, then living in Reading, England, as his next of kin. On 22 December 1914, he embarked for overseas service from Melbourne aboard HMAT Ceramic.

In 1915, West was deployed to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where he served with the 15th Battalion as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. During the Gallipoli campaign, he was evacuated sick in September 1915 and hospitalised with influenza, followed by enteric illness. He was treated at military hospitals on Lemnos and at Mudros, before being transferred to England in November 1915 for further medical care.

After returning to duty, West proceeded to France in 1916, joining the 15th Battalion on the Western Front in September 1916. He served in front-line operations until February 1917, when he was wounded in action, sustaining a gunshot wound to the wrist. He was evacuated to England, where he received hospital treatment before being medically assessed and returned to duty.

In May 1917, West was again hospitalised in England, this time with bronchitis. Later that year, in July 1917, he was admitted to hospital for treatment of a septic arm. Following recovery, he returned to duty and continued service. In July 1918, while serving in France, West was again hospitalised with influenza. After recuperation, he rejoined his unit and remained on active service until the end of the war.

In October 1918, Private West embarked for return to Australia aboard HMAT Port Sydney, arriving in Sydney in December 1918. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 3 February 1919.

Following his return to Australia, West resumed work as a journalist. In 1919, he was living at Brisbane Street, Ipswich. By 1928, he was residing in Canberra, where he continued his journalism career. In 1930, he wrote from Sydney requesting a replacement discharge certificate and badge, giving his address as “C/O Country Press Association, Sydney”. By 1943, he was living at Chaseley Street, Auchenflower, Brisbane, and was still working as a journalist.

Private Charles Edward Lionel West died on 21 June 1944, aged 54, and was buried in Anzac Portion 7, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. He was a single man with no known children.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.