Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Annesley West, VC, DSO & Bar, MC
Richard Annesley West embarked for France with C Squadron of the North Irish Horse on 20 August 1914. A veteran of the Boer War, he was soon after commissioned as a lieutenant. In June 1915 he was attached to 1/1 Somerset Yeomanry, and in December 1917, to the Tank Corps. He was killed in action on 2 September 1918.
Major F.J. Henley
Rand Club
Johannesburg
South Africa
North Irish Horse
3rd Division
B.E.F.
18 May [1915]
Dear Henley1
Delighted to get your letter. Just got back from the trenches. Was up near St Eloi, but had an easy time as they did not attack us or shell us though they were shelling the trenches just in our right and killed some of our people – they only killed one man in the trench I was in – shot through the head.
It’s no game for a long man as you must keep your head down. You sometimes forget, but are very quickly reminded. They lay machine guns just on the top of our parapet at different points & we now & again loose off single shots.
We are billeted in a farm a few miles back & on the whole get a very easy time but of course one never knows from one day to another.
We were up near Ypres for a week the time of the heavy fighting, but did not have to go in to the trenches that time. We live in the farm the 15th Hussars were in last winter, but they have now been brigaded with the 19th H & some I.Y.
Saw a good deal of Denis Bingham during the winter. Used to hunt a good deal till it was stopped. The French squealed about it. Terribly heavy (?)d floundered over a water logged country near all plough & impossible to gallop only flounder through it. Still it was better than doing nothing.
Have never been so bored in my life as last winter – a bloody existence. I got some fighting cocks together. Had a great fight with John Kidd of the Carbs [Carabiniers] one Sunday in a barn – 5 birds aside. He won by 3-2 but had a distinct pull in the weights by having Victor Hermon of the Carbs who farms on the K(?)l in Rhodesia and is ‘un grande amateur des Coqs’ as they call it in this country to spur for him and also had light English spurs while we had to fight in French spurs having no others, & they are very heavy & stop a bird after the first 2 or 3 minutes.
I met Carton De Wiart the other day, he had just arrived out here, minus his left eye, over which he wears a black patch, having lost it in Somaliland where he was fighting when this show started. Very cheery – he says it has its advantages as only being able to see half you are only half as frightened. Now in yesterday[s] paper I see he is wounded again and also got the D.S.O. for good work in Somaliland.
I met Briggs this morning. He is now commanding the 3rd Cav[alry] Division. 6th, 7th & 8th Brigades. They have had a bad time during the last week. Briggs offered me a squadron in any of the regiments he commands, but my nitpik won’t let me leave.
We have just got rid of the most four lettered son of a bitch of a squadron leader I have ever struck, a cold footed, lying thief, but have got a right fellow in his place – one of my greatest pals – Holt Waring by name. We were troopers together in the first lot of Yeomanry that ever left Ireland for South Africa.
Judging by the Rand papers that old Mac sent me last week you don’t seem to (?) a whole heap about this war in Flanders – judging by your S.A. papers we are all in – right up to the ruddy neck. I don’t know how many of the original Expeditionary force are left now, only a very small percentage.
Continued some days later
Met Tweedmouth 2 days ago, looking very fit. Just had a hell of a time & lost 11 officers. Sainby is now I believe with Bendor & his fleet of command (?). Glad he has done so well with the bloodstock.
If I ever get alive out of this war I will embark to Africa or some country where the sun shines. The wet and cold of Europe knocks all the stuffing out of me. Big German attack last night just north, & Gas we all felt the effects of it here although we were some 8 miles from where it was used. Makes your eyes smart & several fellows catted their souls out.
I speak French quite fluently now – at least on certain topics.
Hear the 9th Lancers got it badly last night.
They have now stopped racing at home & I think a good thing too. Of course it will knock a lot of people, but then in a show like this every one must suffer - & we have got to go all the way to beat these sods.
Write again soon. Give my love to what is left of the old Rand stiffs
Yours
Wiley W
1. Major Francis Joseph Henley, formerly Oxford Light Infantry and ADC to the High Commissioner for South Africa.