Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph West, a domestic gardener, born 1863 in Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdonshire and his wife Catherine West (nee Edwards, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the St. Ives, Huntingdonshire district), born 1860 in Caldecote, Cambridgeshire. George was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Broughton, Huntingdonshire, his siblings were, Elizabeth, a general domestic worker, born 1885, Ada Edith, born 1890 and Mabel, born 1893 and Catharine, born 1896 the latter four siblings were all born in Woodhurst, Huntingdonshire, Constance Louisa, born, 1898 in Broughton and Beatrice, born 1901 in Stanground, Huntingdonshire, in March 1901 the family home was at South Court, Stanground. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home in Thurcaston, Leicestershire, residing there was his father a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Constance, a schoolgirl, Beatrice, a schoolgirl, Cecil, a schoolboy, born 1904 in Stanground and Joseph, born 1907 in Thurcaston. George had the following older siblings, Richard John, born 1882, Bertha, born 1883, Sophia, born 1888 and Lucy, born 1889, the latter four siblings were all born in Woodhurst. George first entered the theatre of war in France on the 5th June 1916, at the time was serving with the 12th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, he was gazetted on the 16th November 1916 for the award of the Military Medal for gallantry, at the time of his award he held the rank of acting Corporal, later being promoted to Sergeant, unfortunately no official information currently exists that records when he received his commission into the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and latterly his attachment to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, with whom he was serving when he was killed in action on the 22nd March 1918. George was awarded the Military Medal, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - EPEHY. 6.30am. Intense bombardment of FRONT LINE for over an hour, which extended to CLOSE SUPPORT LINE. 8.30am. Troubled by snipers in rear of YELLOW LINE. During the night 21st/22nd two Field Companies of ROYAL ENGINEERS came up and were under our orders. One Company from the Reserve Brigade and three Vickers guns were also to have come under our orders, but failed to do so on account of being unable to get through hostile barrage. 8.40am. About this time Lieutenant Colonel W. N. STEWART D.S.O. was killed, being shot through the head by a sniper, death being instantaneous. Command of the Battalion being taken by Major J. C. BURDETT. 8.50am. Enemy reported to be massing in front of YELLOW LINE, patrols being within 100 yards of our line. 9.00am. Enemy attempted to bomb down COMMUNICATION TRENCH leading to our FRONT LINE, but were knocked out by a Lewis gun. 9.30am. Enemy worked round both flanks and we were surrounded. 11.00am. A rearguard action was fought to the BROWN LINE forming a defensive flank on the EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD, gaining touch with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. Enemy now advancing in extended order, wave after wave towards the BROWN LINE. Two tanks checked the enemy advance temporarily. 12.30pm. Enemy in EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD. Orders to withdraw to AERODROME-LONGAVESNES, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT withdrawing north of EPEHY-SAULCOURT ROAD through BROWN LINE. Arrived LONGAVESNES about 3.00pm. We came under heavy artillery and intense machine gun fire from CAPRON COPSE and SAULCOURT during withdrawal. LONGAVESNES being shelled, orders were received to withdraw to AIZECOURT-LE-HAUT, where deficiencies of small arms ammunition etc. were made up.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MILITARY MEDAL FOR BARROW MAN. The Military Medal has been awarded to Corpl. George West, of Barrow-on-Soar, for an act of gallantry in the field. We understand that he has been also promoted to sergeant. On several occasions when men had been wounded in attempting to place wire, he volunteered to carry out the work. The commanding officer of his division says that where many men did good work on this night, Corpl. West was exceptional.
On Friday April 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. BARROW ON SOAR. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. and Mrs. West, Church-street, Barrow on Soar, have been notified that their son Second Lieut. George West, M.M., was killed on March 22nd by a sniper. Being small in stature, he had to make five attempts to enlist before he was accepted in the Middlesex Bantams, being afterwards transferred to the Suffolk Bantams. He went to France in 1916, and was quickly promoted sergeant, and was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry in raiding enemy trenches in September of that year. In the following January he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, and recommended for a commission, which he eventually secured, and was posted to the Leicester’s. Mrs. Blower, Sileby-road, Barrow on Soar, has received information that her husband, Second Lieut. Wilfred Blower, Rifle Brigade, was wounded on March 22nd, and has been missing since that date. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, Grove-lane, Barrow on Soar, have been notified that their son, Pte. L. Clarke of the Leicester’s, is in hospital in London, having been seriously wounded in the face and arm. Mr. Arthur Darby, Sileby-road, Barrow on Soar, has been informed that his son, Corpl. F. Darby, R.G.A., has been wounded and gassed, and is in hospital at Boulogne.