NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 19 May 1916

Member of the Jersey Company Killed at the Front. It is with the deepest regret we chronicle the death of another of the gallant lads of the Jersey Company Royal Irish Rifles, Rifleman W West, son of Mr & Mrs West of Aquila Road, who as shall be seen by the following letter received from Company Sergeant Major J Le Breton, was killed in action on Sunday last. The letter reads "Trenches. May 15 1916. Dear Mr & Mrs West, It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son 4220 Rifleman W West of the Jersey Company 7th Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action on 14th May. On behalf of the NCOs and men of the Company we wish to tender our deepest sympathy to you and your family in your great loss. Willie was a great favourite with one and all and his loss is felt by all his comrades. He was buried by his comrades in a little cemetery at the back of our lines. You have one great comfort in your trouble, to know that he died doing his duty for his King and Country. On behalf of the NCOs and men of the Company I remain yours sincerely, J LE BRETON, CSM D Company". This gallant soldier who was in his 24th year was formerly in the employ of His Excellency the Governor and left the Island with the original Company. A cheerful letter was received in the Island from him on the day of his death and his relatives were daily expecting to hear of his obtaining leave, so the news of his death has come as a great shock. We feel sure all our readers join us in offering our sincere condolences to the family in their sad bereavement.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Saturday 20 May 1916

How the Two Brave Jersey Riflemen were Killed. It appears that the two Jersey Riflemen whose death we reported yesterday were killed in front of the trenches. On the night of Saturday last a party were engaged in putting up barbed wire, each of the brothers Mallet being in a different section. The party in which Charles Mallet and Rifleman West were was spotted by the enemy who opened up with terrific machine gun fire, one man being killed instantly and three injured. Rifleman Mallet, who was injured in the abdomen and legs was taken to a Dressing Station where he expired two hours later in the presence of his brother Arthur, who is now in the Island on leave. The two gallant lads were buried on Sunday night in Tent Avenue, a local military name, near the village of Vasalle la Bource. Owing to the closeness of the enemy the usual peacetime honours could not be accorded and the heroes were carried simply to the grave by their comrades, the bearers including the brother of Charles Mallet. We would again extend our sympathy to the bereaved relatives.

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NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Thursday 25 May 1916

The Late Rifleman West. The parents of the late Rifleman W West have received letters from Lieutenant Colonel W A Stocker of the Jersey Company, Colonel F H Voisin and officers of the 3rd Battalion RMIJ and Lieutenant Cyril Ogier of the Jersey Company conveying the deepest and heartfelt sympathy of the writers at the death of the Rifleman, who is described as a keen, willing and excellent soldier who will be greatly missed.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 26 May 1916

"Dear Mr Editor,

Will you kindly insert this letter in your paper relating to the death of Riflemen W West and C Mallet who lost their lives while out on a dangerous mission wiring. After our two brave comrades had been buried several of us decided to carve out in chalk a small monument as a token of respect to our fallen comrades. They were interred on the field of honour where many of our brave comrades have also been interred. They were both highly respected by all ranks, both of Company and Battalion, so we thought we would let you have a copy of the monument so as to give the readers of your valuable paper a slight idea of a chalk carved monument.

I remain sincerely yours,
S J WILLIAMS,

Lance Corporal D Company RIR, BEF, France".