Arthur Palin

Cheshire Regiment

Personal Details

Born: 23 March 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 17 April the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the eldest of two children born to Lizzie Palin (his brother John died in 1904 at the age of 5 and is buried in Whitchurch cemetery). He was brought up by Henry and Jane Ryder and married Sarah Maddocks (nee Roberts) in 1922 in Whitchurch and together they had four children – Arthur Leslie, Phyllis E, Mary and Peter Dominic. Sarah’s first husband, John Maddocks, was killed in action in France in 1917; three of John’s brothers also lost their lives in WW1.

Residence: Arthur’s mother was living in the Whitchurch Union Workhouse when he was baptised in 1894. In 1901 he lived with the Ryder family at 7 Yardington, Whitchurch; in 1911 he was boarding at Chidlow Hall, Chidlow, Cheshire. In 1939 he was living at 2 Council Houses, Crickmerry, Market Drayton, Shropshire where he continued to live until his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was a dairy assistant; in 1939 he was a general farm labourer.

Died: 26 September 1961 in Market Drayton, aged 67.

Military Details

Regiment: Cheshire Regiment 

Rank: Private

Service Number: 27253

Date of Enlistment: 30 June 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Arthur was awarded the Military Medal and the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal)

Military 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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