Frederic Wolley Dod

Frederic Wolley Dod

Personal Details

Frederic Hova Wolley Dod was born in Eton, Buckinghamshire in 1872 (baptised 25th March 1872), the fourth son of the Rev. Charles and Mrs Frances Lucy Wolley Dod of Edge, Malpas, Cheshire.

Frederic emigrated to Canada in 1893, taking his substantial collection of butterflies and moths with him, and was recognised there as an expert in the field of lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). He was well published and had various specimens named after him. He joined up in 1917 and was transferred to a Labour Company in Macedonia where he hoped to continue his passion for lepidoptera.

Frederic is also commemorated on the memorial at The Abbey Church of St Mary, Nuneaton.

Military Details

Regiment : 1st Garrison Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Rank : Lieutenant
Service Number :

Died of illness (typhoid); Macedonia (now Turkey) 24 July 1919 Aged 47

Medals and Awards
Frederic 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

Will of Frederic Hova Wolley Dod
DOD Frederic Hova Wolley of Midnapore Alberta Canada second-lieutenant Yorkshire Light Infantry died 24 July 1919 at the stationary hospital Chanak army of the Black Sea Administration (with Will limited) London 2 April to Francis Richard Clarke and Gordon Lloyd Trevor Kenyon solicitors attorneys of Herbert Smith and Norman Williams. Effects £951 1s. 1d.

Taken from Forces War Records


More information about Frederic Hova Wolley Dod is available from Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild.

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


Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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