Personal Details
George Henry Pointon was born on 8th April 1891 in Hadnall, Shropshire, the second son of George and Hannah Pointon of Higher Heath, Whitchurch.
In the 1911 Census, his occupation is shown as general labourer and he was living at Wood Cottage Wirswall.
Military Details
Regiment : 59th Labour Corps (19th (Service) Battalion Cheshire Regiment No 38623), formerly South Wales Borderers No 35808
Rank : Private
Service Number : 38623
Died of Illness; France 15th June 1917 Age 36
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
Report in the Whitchurch Herald 30th June 1917 of a letter received by Mr & Mrs Pointon, relating to their son, George Henry Pointon
"Hospital Sister writes;
He was admitted to Hospital seriously ill on June 10th; an operation was immediately performed with success and for two days he held his own. But a relapse came, a second operation was deemed necessary, but in spite of medical skill and attention the patient passed away
Chaplain writes;
Everything that medical skill could devise combined with careful nursing was given to your son, but in spite of it all he passed away. We have buried him in a Military Cemetery, near Bapaume "
Whitchurch Herald 30th June 1917
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Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives