Clement Edge

Royal Air Force

Personal Details

Born: 21st May 1881 and baptised June 23rd at St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury.

Family: Second of six children born to Edwin and Ellen Edge. In 1907 Clement married Annie Haycocks at Whitchurch, Shropshire. Together they had three children, Clement Horace born 1909, Thomas L born 1913 and Wesley born in 1920.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Chester Street, Shrewsbury. By 1891 they had moved to Whitchurch and were residing in Havannah Buildings. They were still at the same address ten years later. The 1911 Census lists Clement and Annie living at 12 Highgate, Whitchurch, Shropshire with their first child and Annie’s brother as a lodger. By 1919 they had moved to 5 Havana, Whitchurch. In 1939 their address was given as 26 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch and Clement was still living there at the time of his death in 1950.

Employment: Like his father before him, Clement was a tailor. In 1901 he was an apprentice, by 1911 he was a tailor (maker) and in 1939 he was described as a tailor (journeyman).

Died:  1950 and was buried 7 December in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: RAF (formerly Royal Flying Corps)

Rank: Private (Air Mechanic 2nd Class )

Service Number: 98111

Date of Enlistment: 3 October 1917

Date of Discharge: 30 April 1920 (transferred to Reserve 18 March 1919)

Reason for Discharge: End of War

Other Information: Clement was in France from November 1917 until February 1919.

For the duration of  his military service he worked as a Sailmaker which involved the making of fabric fuselage covers for planes, elevators, rudders etc., all kinds of canvas work, rope work, upkeep of canvas hangars, lorry covers as well as regimental tailoring.

His brother Albert served in the Liverpool Regiment.

Medals and Awards

Clement 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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