Michael West

General Sir Michael Montgomerie Alston-Roberts-West, (27 October 1905 – 14 May 1978), better known as Sir Michael M.A.R. West, was a senior British Army officer who achieved high office in the 1960s. He served in the Second World War and the Korean War, where he commanded the 1st Commonwealth Division and later became General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) for Northern Command.

West was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, British Army, in 1925. He went to India, serving with the 2nd Battalion, in 1935. and used to drive a London taxi.

There is a memorial to him in the Church at Whitchurch in Warwickshire.

Family On 24 August 1935, he married Christine Sybil Oppenheim, from Newbury. The couple had one daughter, Carinthia (who was courted by Mick Jagger).

Honours and awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath 13 June 1964 (KCB 1 January 1959, CB 7 June 1951) Companion of the Distinguished Service Order 24 May 1945, 28 June 1945, 8 December 1953 Mentioned in despatches 8 December 1953 Commander, Legion of Merit (United States) 10 August 1954