Personal Details
Born: 3 July 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Family: He was the only child of William Perry, a haulier, and his wife Annie. He married Ann Mary Blyth in 1920; no children can be located for this marriage.
Residence: In 1901 he lived at 7 Barlow’s Yard, Whitchurch; by 1911 the family had moved to 46 Bargates, Whitchurch where they were still living in 1919. In 1926 John and Ann travelled to Canada, staying there for 10 months. In 1939 they were living at Brookside, Wrexham Road, Whitchurch which was his address at the time of his death in 1984.
Education: He attended Whitchurch Grammar School between 1908 and 1912.
Employment: When he left school he worked as a clerk for a firm of cheese brokers. In 1939 he was a dairy farmer.
Died: 12 May 1984 in Whitchurch, aged 88, and was buried on 18 May the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.
Military Details
Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: S4/084858
Date of Enlistment: Not known
Date of Discharge: Not known
Reason for Discharge: Not known
John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal)
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.