Personal Details
Born: 11 July 1881 (baptised on 29 July 1891) in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Family: The first child of Alfred and Fanny Jarvis of 41b Newtown, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Alfred married Clara Smith on the 3 October 1916 and together had 5 children – Alfred, Joan, Reginald, Ronald and Beatrice.
Civilian Occupation: He was a warehouseman when he enlisted. In 1939 he was a general labourer working on roads.
Residence: In 1939 he was living at 51 Wayland Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Died: In March 1968 aged 76.
Military Details
Regiment: Cheshire Regiment (previously Royal Welsh Fusiliers)
Rank: Private
Service Number: 62947 (previously 242854 and 73066)
Date of Enlistment: 14 December 1916
Date of Discharge: 17 July 1919
Reason for Discharge: Medically unfit for service
Other Information: He was with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers before being transferred to the Cheshire Regiment. He served abroad and suffered with neurasthenia and was eventually discharged from the army as being unfit for service.
Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal).
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.