Bertram Langford

Royal Engineers

Personal Details

Born: In 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 31 May the same year in St. Alkmund`s Church. He was known as Bertie.

Family: He was the son of Mary Jane Langford, but was brought up by Joseph and Eliza Langford as their son. There is a marriage recorded 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire for a Bertie Langford to Germaine Bourseaux, but no other record can be found for Germaine.

Residence: At the time of his baptism he was living in Watergate Street, Whitchurch. In 1901 and 1911 his family were living at 19 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch. An address of 10 Cambrian View, Whitchurch was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List. At the time of his death in 1947 he was living at 56 Wayland Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was an errand boy.

Died: In 1947 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 53, and was buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 14 July the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: WR/282473 (previously 257071)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information:

His uncle, Hugh Brett Langford, served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Bertie 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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