Personal Details
Alfred Darlington Roberts, born in Whitchurch in 1886, the eldest son of Alfred and Mary Ann Roberts of 1 Highgate, Whitchurch.
Alfred worked in the Bakery at Bronington, Flintshire before joining the Army.
Alfred was the nephew of Edward Thomas Roberts who also lost his life in the Great War.
Military Details
Regiment : 13th (Service) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1st North Wales)
Rank : Private
Service Number : 61204
Killed in Action; France 9th August 1918 Age 32
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.
Further Information
Report in the Whitchurch Herald 31st August 1918 of a letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts regarding the death of their son, Alfred Darlington Roberts
"I am exceedingly sorry to have to write to inform you of the death of your son Pte, A D Roberts. He was killed in action on the 9th August. We buried him today (10th August) in a little English Cemetery behind our lines at 1pm. I took the service, with about seven men from his Battalion. We thought of you at home, and all felt that it was your service, and prayed that when the first pang of grief is over you may be enabled to rise and may live as bravely as your son met his death.
The Reverend Jones C F
16th RWF BEF"
Whitchurch Herald 31st August 1918
(There is no record of Alfred marrying, so it is probable that ‘Ann Roberts’ is his mother, not his wife)
Taken from Forces War Records
If you can provide any further information on Alfred Darlington Roberts please get in touch by leaving a comment below, using our Contact Form or by calling in to Whitchurch Heritage Centre.
Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives