Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Wilfred Arnold West is the son of Mr William Arthur West and Mrs Emily Burnard West. He was born on June 3rd 1889 in Brompton, Charles Sturt City, South Australia. He was raised with three other siblings, Gordon West, Doris West, and Eleanor West. West was educated Norwood Primary School (trove.nla.gov.au) and later attended Adelaide High School. He completed education at the University of Adelaide (trove.nla.gov.au) for a diploma in commerce studies in 1913. West enlisted in The Great War on August 16th, 1915 at age 26 years and 2 months old, employed as a civil servant. He lived on Hewitt Avenue, Rose Park, South Australia and was previously rejected for service from "eyesight" complications.

West was initially appointed to the 2nd Depot Battalion with the service number 15030 at the AIF expedition camp, receiving his first commission on the 15th of November 1915. Depot Battalions were responsible for organising recruits with training and supply before embarking to France for battle. He was later officially taken on strength by the 5th reinforcement of the 6th Field Artillery Brigade (/explore/units/155) as a Driver. The Field Artillery Brigade supported the larger Commonwealth forces, primarily in strategically mobilising heavy battery to neutralise enemy defense, these officers see direct combat in operating these weapons to support Division campaigns.

On the 4th of May, West embarked with the 5th Reinforcement from Melbourne on the HMAT Port Lincoln A17 for Tell El Kabir, a port south of Cairo, to commence artillery training school. West learned fundamental survival and teamwork abilities in the harsh conditions of Egypt, building meaningful connections and solidarity with other soldiers. In live fire exercises, he trained with heavy Batteries, leading to painful fatigue and injury in the mobility process, while being exposed to lead and sulfuric acids which causes chronic respiratory problems.

After three months of training, from Alexandria, Egypt, Wilfred Arnold embarked on the HMT Lake Manitoba in August to Cosham, England where he trained with the British Expeditionary Force at the Hutment military camp. During this period, the 6th Field Artillery Brigade supported in the Winter Offensive of Flers/Guedecourt (/explore/campaigns/24#:~:text=About%20This%20Campaign-,'The%20Winter%20Offensive'%20%2D%20Flers%2FGueudecourt%20winter%20of%201916,in%20the%20sector%20around%20Ypres.) in November. This involved advancing the salient line to prevent German counter attacks into the region. Unfortunately, the campaign was subsequently unsucessful, ending in Allies retreat within the harsh winter trenches of the Somme Valley region. Come January 1917, West's assigned unit, the 6th Field Artillery Brigade, was disbanded as a part of an A.I.F reorganisation effort of artillery assets. In February 1917, those initial "Winter Offensive" campaigns prompted German tactical withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line (/explore/campaigns/21).

On the 11th of March 1917, West marched into Etaples (www.awm.gov.au) with the Australian General Base Depot after embarking from Folkestone, England. He was subsequently transferred to the 4th Australian Ammunition Sub-Park, which was raised to support the 4th Division's campaigns, these units store, manage and distributes ammunition to military operations. April 2nd, 1917 saw West to an unknown Field, where unit records (www.awm.gov.au) depict ammunition dispatch on the Bapaume - Cambrai Road (www.awm.gov.au), setting to supply the 4th Division in preparations for the First Attack on Bullecourt (www.awm.gov.au) (11th of April).

This road is lined with abandoned German dugouts, characterised by its lower trench structure, providing protection and cover for ammunition distribution officers such as West. Its structure illustrates previous German occupation to shelter from Allies' artillery batteries and attacks, along with frontline shifts throughout the war.

Although West did not directly participate in combat, he delivered crucial ammunition and batteries for the Australian troops pursuing German forces to the Hidenburgh Defense. The 4th Division committed to a capture of Bullecourt, aiming to prevent further German retreat. Unfortunately, the Allies' tanks immediately encountered mechanical failures, which left units without armored support, entering the German trenches without artillery barrage while reinforcements was forced off from German's artillery bombardment. In spite of its mass casualties, the battle had a massive influence on imminent war efforts, especially through the developments in tanks and tactical knowledge in the continued assaults on the German's Hidenburg Line.

Two days henceforth (5/4/1917), West was admitted to the 15th Australian Field Ambulance (/explore/units/409) on accounts of Gastritis, subsequently marching into Rouen for "Infection of Stomach" designated for the 2nd Convalescent Depot (www.aif.adfa.edu.au) in the process of recovery. He was detached from the 4th Ammunition Sub-Park for duties with the Anzac Section 3rd Echelon HQ (www.awm.gov.au) on April 28th as a temporary attachment. Subsequently in early August, he was officially taken on strength by the 3rd Echelon Headquarters, duly appointed the Extra Regimental Corporal (www.awm.gov.au) position under AIF order 213. In In this position, West is responsible for military logistics and rear-end support, including administrative supports, medical services record, supplies management and communication between the echelon tiers to ensure operation accuracy.

In December, West was admitted to hospital, embarking for England on the H.S Aberdonian for Gastric Dilation Ulcer, he likely experienced a gnawing and burning pain in the stomach region, subsequently being treated in Delhi Hospital, Tidworth (birtwistlewiki.com.au). On the 8th of January, he was discharged from hospital, subsequently marched in, to the 2nd Australian Axillary Hospital in Southall (/explore/units/1341).

West was returned to Australia on the H.T Balmoral Castle from England from accounts of "Stomach Infection", his Medical Record diagnosed him with Chronic Gastritis, finally dispatching on the 18th of February.  On the 11th of November 1918, guns on the Western Front fell silent, marking the end of the Great War.

After the war, Wilfred Arnold West joined the RSL, with the badge number S23744. He had an incident of robbery in 1931 where a crystal- pick up (trove.nla.gov.au) from his home in Rose Park was stolen. West later worked as Senior Deputy Registrar- General of Deeds at the Lands Title Office for 42 years until his subsequent passing on the 4th of June 1949 (trove.nla.gov.au) at age 59. He was survived by a widow, Miss Doris Hunter, whom he married in 1934. West was buried at the Athelstone Cemetery (www.findagrave.com) with his family and remembered for his service with a Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance. He was also awarded with the British War Medal (13000) and the Victory Medal (12830).

(www.findagrave.com)