Albert Henry Roberts

Gloucestershire Regiment

Personal Details

Born: During the last quarter of 1897 in the Whitchurch area.

Family: Third of six surviving children born to Joseph and Lucy Roberts. In 1923 Albert married Annie Lewis in Nantwich, Cheshire. Together they had one son, Douglas A, born the following year.

Residence: In 1901 the family were living at 9 Yardington Street, Whitchurch. Ten years later they were at 24 Bargates, Whitchurch. This was the same address recorded on the 1919 Absent Voters’ list for Albert.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: 9th Gloucestershire Regiment (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 36938 (previously 2678)

Date of Enlistment: November 1914

Date of Discharge: Post spring 1919

Reason for Discharge: Unknown

Other Information: While in France he was listed as wounded in January 1917 and reported suffering from shellshock in April the same year. 

His younger brother George Frederick Roberts served in the Royal Flying Corps and his older brother Joseph Arthur Roberts served in the Royal Army Service Corps.

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.



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