Personal Details
John Alfred Bailey was born in Maesbury, Oswestry, Shropshire on 16th October 1892, the second son of Edmund and Mary Ellen Bailey of Yew Tree House, Maesbury, Oswestry, Shropshire.
The 1911 Census shows John as a railway clerk, and the London and North Western Railway Roll of Honour confirms that he worked at Malpas station.
John joined the Army Reserve in November 1915 and was transferred to the RNVR in June 1917. He was transferred to the Howe Battalion, RND, British Expeditionary Force on 13th October 1917 and was wounded on 28th December 1917.
John died from a shell wound to the head at the 48th Casualty Clearing Station at Bray in France.
Military Details
Regiment : Howe Battalion, Royal Navy Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Rank : Able Seaman
Service Number : R/3713
Died of wounds; France 5 January 1918 Aged 25
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
Report in the Liverpool Daily Post 17 January 1918 regarding the death of John Alfred Bailey
“WELSH ROLL OF HONOUR.
WELSH BORDER CASUALTIES.
Private John Alfred Bailey, Maesbury, near Oswestry, who before the war was employed by the London and North-Western Railway Company, has died in hospital from shell wounds.”
Liverpool Daily Post 17 January 1918
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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives