Edwin Chase

Edwin Chase

Personal Details

Born in Mile Bank, Whitchurch in 1881, the second son of William and Sarah Chase.

Husband of Mary (nee Brown) Chase, of Hollins Lane, Tilstock and father of Margaret, Mary and Edwin.

In the 1911 Census, Edwin's occupation was farm worker.

Military Details

Regiment : 14th (Service) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Rank : Private
Service Number : 55325

Killed in Action; Belgium 15th June 1917 Age 36

Medals and Awards
Edwin was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied 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.



Further Information

Whitchurch Herald 30th June 1917


Report in the Whitchurch Herald 30th June 1917 of a letter received by Mrs Chase regarding her husband, Edwin Chase

"All the officers and men of his Battalion send you their deepest sympathy. They recognise that they had lost a good and faithful soldier, I feel very sorry to think that so many of our good healthy lads are being taken away from us in this way. We must try and look at it from the point of view of the cause we are upholding. Your husband did his best to help his country and fellow men. His grave is in a nice cemetery and a little cross is being erected to indicate the place of rest. Private Chase was killed instantly. He leaves a widow and three children

Rev. Morris, Chaplain, RWF"

Whitchurch Herald 30th June 1917



If you can provide any further information on Edwin Chase please get in touch by leaving a comment below, using our Contact Form or by calling in to Whitchurch Heritage Centre.


Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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