TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Spink

Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed as issued;
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (3388 Pte. A. West, 2nd Shropshire Lt. Infy.);
KSA (2) (3388 Corpl: A. R. West. Shrops: L.I.);
Army LS&GC Ed II (Sergt. A. R. West. H. E. the Viceroys Band)

Arthur Robert West was born at Aldershot, Hampshire on 2 February 1876, the son of Sergeant-Major R. West, Royal Army Medical Corps. He attended the Royal Hibernian Military School, training as a Musician there before attesting as Boy on 2 February 1891 with the Shropshire Light Infantry. Reaching his majority in 1894 he was advanced Private and from there was appointed Musician on 19 March 1897.

Entering the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa on 7 November 1899 he was present for the Battle of Paardeberg in which the Shropshires played a major role. Advanced Corporal on South Africa on 1 November 1902 he was posted to India on 7 January 1903. There West's musical aspirations began to shine through and he applied for a transfer to the His Excellency the Viceroy's Band in February 1906.

This was confirmed and he joined the Indian Unattached List from 1 April 1906 being advanced Sergeant on 1 April 1907. He was still serving in that capacity in 1911 and doubtless was awarded his Delhi Durbar medal for that reason. West was finally discharged at Gosport on 9 March 1912 and died on 12 December 1940.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (1647 Pte. J. Barry, 2nd Shrop: Lt. Infy.);
KSA (2) (1647 Pte. J. Barry. Shrops: L. I.)

M&E state John Barry, of Wellington, Shropshire, was born c.1866 and served with the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Shropshire Light Infantry. He is confirmed on the medal rolls with entitlement as above.