Details imported from Luton Absent Voters list and the National Roll of Honour (Section V) Plus the records of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The National Roll (mostly submitted by families) describes his service as follows: He joined in June 1916 and was drafted to France in October of the same year. he took part in severe fighting on the Somme and at Ypres, Passchendale and Cambra, where he was severely wounded and taken prisoner. He was held in captivity until after the Armistice when he was released and returning to England was demobilised in March 1919, holding the General Service and Victory Medals.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), records agree with the Roll of honour, and show that Robert West (going under his middle name Robert instead of Frederick, perhaps to maintain some level of secrecy?) was captured at Peronne in France, during the Spring Offensive on the 26th March 1918, and had a rifle shot wound in his right lower leg.