Ernest Ouseley

Labour Corps

Personal Details

Born: 30 April 1880 in Fauls, Lower Heath, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of seven children born to George Ouseley, a bricklayer`s labourer, and his wife Sarah. He married Eva Penk in 1902 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had six children, Gordon, George James, Harriet, Eileen Nancy and Donald and Andrew (who both died in infancy).

Residence: In 1881 Ernest`s family were living in Lower Heath, Prees, Shropshire.  By 1901 he was a boarder at 17 St. John`s Street, Whitchurch. Ten years later and married, his home was 22 Bargates, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living at 24 George Street, Whitchurch. His daughter Harriet’s address of 56 Wayland Road was given for him in the Whitchurch cemetery burial records.

Employment: He was a tailor in 1911, an occupation he continued for most of his working life.

Died: 3 April 1943 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 62, and buried 5 April the same year at Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps  (previously Monmouthshire Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 445158 (previously 266604)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Ernest 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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