Personal Details
Born: We believe Charles was born in August 1876 to John and Elizabeth Roberts. He was brought up in the household of Mrs Sarah Simmons and her two daughters Martha and Mary of 22 Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Residence: 22 Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Civilian Occupation: He was a house painter.
Died: His date of death is unknown.
Other Information: He recorded his next of kin as Miss M Simmons of 22 Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. She is shown as his foster sister. This is likely to be Martha Simmons as Mary had previously married and was now Mary Sherbrooke.
There is a baptism record for a Charles Roberts dated 27 August 1876 in Whitchurch, Shropshire which shows his parents as John and Elizabeth. His attestation is dated 22 August 1914 and indicates his age as 38 years and 10 days; We are concluding these records relate to the same man.
Military Details
Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)
Rank: Private
Service Number: 443541 (previously 6849)
Date of Enlistment: 22 August 1914
Date of Discharge: 23 April 1919
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal).
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.