Charles Bulkeley

Rev Richard William Dugdale

Personal Details

Charles Ivor Rivers Bulkeley, born in Oak Cottage, New Woodhouse, Whitchurch, Shropshire in 1885, the second son of Col Charles Rivers Bulkeley and the late Constance Clementine Bulkeley of the same address.

Charles’s elder brother, Captain Thomas Henry Rivers Bulkeley was also killed in the Great War.

Military Details

Regiment : 2nd Battalion Scots Guards (previously 3rd Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps)

Rank : Captain
Service Number :

Killed in Action; France 16 May 1915 Aged 30

Medals and Awards
Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals


Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.

The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.

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

Probate/Will of Charles Ivor Rivers Bulkeley
Bulkeley, Charles Ivor Rivers of Oak Cottage Whitchurch Shropshire captain Scots Guards died on or since 16 May 1915 in France on active service Administration (with will) London 23 July to Muriel Bulkeley spinster. Effects £655 3s. 9d.

Taken from Forces War Records


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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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