George Woodfield

George Woodfield

Personal Details

Born in Worthenbury, Flintshire, Wales in 1888, the eldest son of the late John and Elizabeth Woodfield of Worthenbury, Flintshire, Wales.

The 1911 Census shows George living with his brother John at Barton Mere, Malpas, Cheshire and employed as a mill waggoner.

George died of pneumonia at Pembroke Dock. He was awarded service medals, so had seen service on the Western Front. We can only presume he was on his way back to the United Kingdom after the Armistice and fell ill.

Military Details

Regiment : 4th Reserve Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, formerly Cheshire Yeomanry (1178)
Rank : Private
Service Number : 230789

Died of illness; United Kingdom 24 November 1918 Aged 29

Medals and Awards
George 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

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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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