Rare Original Signature of Ferdinand M F West VC RFC.

The original Hand Signed signature of Ferdinand Maurice Felix (Freddy) West VC, CBE, MC. He was the classically educated son of a British officer and a French countess, volunteered for military service in France during World War I, serving first with the Royal Munster Fusiliers before applying to the Royal Flying Corps. He first commission was as an observer before becoming a pilot. Already honoured with a Military Cross (July 1918), he was awarded the Victoria Cross for a heroic observer mission in which he came under attack by seven German fighter aircraft. He was able to skilfully manoeuvre his plane and get several good bursts of fire into his pursuers. But he had been severely wounded in his leg which would soon require amputation. His left leg had five wounds, one of which had shattered his femur and cut the femoral artery. He twisted his trouser let to stem the flowing blood and made a forced landing in French territory, he fought to stay conscious while making his report. He was later fitted with a special artificial leg, and he remained in on active duty in the air force after the war. He spent World War II as military attaché in Berne, in neutral Switzerland, helping downed British flyers and gathering intelligence. Targeted by the Germans, he had to hire a bodyguard for protection. He was honoured as Commander of the British Empire in 1945. In later years he served on the boards of many British companies. Sadly, he died in 1988.Freddy's signature is obtainable but usually at a very high price. Here it comes mounted with a photograph of Freddy in uniform, with a print of his plane and copy VC and short bio on back. Ready to frame A4