John received his medical education at the Queen’s College, Belfast, qualifying M.B., B.Ch., B.O.A. in 1899. He joined the Medical Services at the rank of Lieutenant on 29th November 1900, then saw active service in South Africa from 1901 to 1906, gaining the Queen’s South African Medal with 4 clasps. On 29th November 1903 he gained promotion to Captain, and became a Specialist in Operative Surgery in 1908. In 1910 he took a diploma in public heath (D.P.H.), then served from 1910 to 1914 in India, where he was stationed when war was declared. During this time he gained promotion to the rank of Major on 29th November 1911. Returning to the UK, John became the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Cavalry Field Ambulance, entering the war in France, with the unit, on 17th August 1914. He served with them until 1916, when he became the Officer in Charge of the Surgical Division of No 13 General Hospital. On 24th February 1916 he was awarded the French Legion of Honour, Croix de Chevalier by the French Republic in recognition of his service in the field. In 1917, he qualified as a master of surgery (M.Ch.). He left the British Expeditionary Force in France and went on to serve in Italy as Commanding Officer for No 11 General Hospital, up until 1918, when he transferred to No 62 General Hospital from 1918 to 1919. During this time, he served under the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel from 3rd -13th February 1917, and 24th November - 25th December 1917. The next day, on 26th December, he was granted the full rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John became of Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George on 1st January 1919. Also in 1919 he served as Surgeon Specialist at the Queen Alexander Military Hospital, Millbank and as Assistant Professor of Military Surgery at the Royal Army Medical College - becoming Professor of Military Surgery from 1920 to 1927. On 29th October 1920 he received the Italian Silver Medal della Salute Publica. From 1922 to 1926 John was a Consultant Surgeon to Army. He gained the rank of Brevet Colonel on 15th April 1922, as well as becoming King’s Honorary Surgeon the same day. From 1927 to 1931 he served in Burma as the Assistant Director of Medical Services at Headquarters Burma District. During which time he served under the rank of temporary Colonel from 1st May 1924 to 2nd November 1927, gaining the full rank of Colonel on 26th December 1927. On 26th December 1931 he reverted to half pay, but was restored to full pay on 1st March 1932. From 1932 to 1935 he served as Professor of Military Surgery and Consultant Surgeon to the Army. On 25th June 1932 he gained promotion to the rank of Major General, and on 20th December, the same year, received the C.B.E. (Commander Order of the British Empire). On 3rd June 1935 he became a Commander of the Order of the Bath. He retired with pay on 27th August 1935, became Colonel Commandant in 1942, then ceased being on the Roll of Officers on 27th August 1942. *John was the son of the Rev. Dr West, a well known minister of Antrim Presbyterian Church. [*Information kindly provided by Nigel Henderson]