Charles Cresswell Pidduck

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Personal Details

Born: 26 August 1896 in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Family: He was the second of six children born to James Cresswell Pidduck, a cattle food agent and paper merchant, and his wife Polly. He married Elsie M Eaton in 1921 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had two children – Eileen M C and Elizabeth C.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at 3 Holmefield Hope Road, Sale, Cheshire; by 1911 the family had moved to York House, 26 Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire where he continued to live until at least 1919. In 1938 he lived at 23 Hale Grove Gardens, Hendon, Middlesex and in 1939 he was living at 25 Warwick Road, Southampton, Hampshire. His address when he died was Rock House, Austenwood Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

Education: He attended Whitchurch Grammar School between 1910 and 1913 when he left to attend a private school in Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Employment: In 1939 he was a fruit broker.

Died: 7 September 1988 in Chalfont St. Peter.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 201380

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Brother to Henry Barratt and Reginald Boothroyd who also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Charles 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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