Horace Davenport

Horace Birch Davenport

Personal Details

Horace Birch Davenport was born in Belton Road, Whitchurch in 1881, the third son of George and Mary Davenport of Wrexham Road, Whitchurch.

Husband of Mabel (nee Jones) Davenport, of Newtown, Whitchurch, father of George Bernard.

Military Details

Regiment : 1st Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank : Private
Service Number : 5889

Killed in Action; Belgium 9th August 1915 Age 34

Medals and Awards
Horace was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals


Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.

The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.

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

Shrewsbury News & Wellington Journal August 1915


Report in the Shrewsbury News & Wellington Journal August 1915 on the death of Horace Birch Davenport.

“Whitchurch has to de-plore the loss a another one of its gallant sons, Horace Birch Davenport 1st Shropshire Light Infantry who fell somewhere in France on August 9th during the taking of some German trenches, in which all ranks greatly distinguished themselves. He was 34 years of age and had been at the front for six months. He was a fine soldier, and had been in the army 16 years, 8 years with the colours, 8 years in the reserves. He fought with the 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry in the South Africa War, receiving the Queen’s and King’s medals with clasps; he was also with the regiment in India during Lord Kitchener’s command.”

Shrewsbury News & Wellington Journal August 1915



If you can provide any further information on Horace Birch Davenport 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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