Ferdinand Maurice Felix West
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Air Commodore Ferdinand Maurice Felix West VC CBE MC RAF (19 January 1896 – 8 July 1988) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 22 years old, and a captain in No. 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 10 August 1918 north east of Roye, France, Captain West, who had spent the two previous days on reconnaissance patrols and attacking the enemy from tree level, found a huge concentration of troops and transport. He had noted the strength of the enemy formation when he was attacked by several Gernan scouts, receiving five bullets in his left leg which was partially severed. Despite being in a rapidly weakening state and great pain, he tore his leg off and threw it out the plane to stop it jamming the controls, manovering his plane to get off some good bursts of fire he managed to drive the German scouts away, he then managed to bring his aircraft back to safety, and on landing, despite waves of unconsciousness, insisted on giving in his report before being taken to hospital.
He later achieved the rank of Air Commodore. Grave/memorial at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Sunningdale, Berkshire, England. Headstone.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum (London, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - Air VCs (P G Cooksley, 1999)
