Hugh Brett Langford

Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Personal Details

Born: 29 December 1884 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 23 January 1885 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church.

Family: He was the third of six children born to Joseph Langford, a general labourer, and his wife Eliza. He married Fanny Laura Faulks in 1912 in Whitchurch. The couple had two children Sydney Hugh and Edna Sylvia.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 38 Watergate Street, Whitchurch, but ten years later their address was 19 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch. His home in 1919 was 7 Cambrian View, Whitchurch. By 1939 he, his wife and children were living at 40 Alkington Gardens, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1901 he was a clockmaker and in 1939 his occupation was described as a turret clock engineer.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Service Number: A/2854

Date of Enlistment: 11 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 4 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Transferred to Reserve

Other Information:

His nephew, Bertie, served in the Royal Engineers during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Hugh 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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