James Smith

James Glendenning Smith

Personal Details

James Glendenning Smith was born in Leamington, Warwickshire in 1894, the only son of Anthony and Alice Smith of 10 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch.

Military Details

Regiment : 1/4th (Territorial) Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank : Private
Service Number : 200771

Died of Wounds; France 14th August 1918 Age 23

Medals and Awards
James 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

Whitchurch Herald 24th August 1918


Report in the Whitchurch Herald 24th August 1918 of a letter received by Mr and Mrs Smith regarding the death of their son, James Glendenning Smith

"Mr & Mrs Anthony Smith of Oddfellows Terrace, Whitchurch, have received news of the death of their only son James Glendenning Smith, of 1/4th Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Private Smith was formally in the Church Lads Brigade, and a choir boy in Whitchurch Parish Church. He went out with the Territorials to Rangoon, Singapore and Hong Kong and saw two years and ten months service in the Far East. He returned to France where he was fatally gassed on the 12th August 1918, he died in Hospital two days later, and was buried at Pernes British Military Cemetery. Great sympathy with the bereaved parents in the loss of their only son and with his sisters in their great loss of a brave brother. Private Smith who was 23 years old formally worked in the greenhouses at the Mount. He sent home several interesting communications concerning the Territorials, who have lost a stanch comrade and a good soldier, and Whitchurch, a promising citizen"

Letter received by Mr & Mrs Smith;

"Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your son, who was my batman; I was very fond of him. A gas shell burst in front of his dugout, and when I sent him down to the Doctor I did not think he was very bad, and I was most awfully sorry to hear that he had died in Hospital a few days later. He was bright and conscientious and a very useful man on the line
Major Warneford, 1/4th KSLI"

Whitchurch Herald 24th August 1918



If you can provide any further information on James Glendenning Smith 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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