Personal Details
Born: 25 December 1884 in Ightfield, Shropshire.
Family: He was the eldest of three children born to John Francis, a coachman and his wife Sarah. No marriage can be found for him.
Residence: In 1891 he and his family were living at Edgeley, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 he was living at The Stables, Terrick Hall, Whitchurch. An address of 7 Catteralls Lane, near Whitchurch, was given for him in 1918 on his pension card.
Employment: In 1911 he was a groom.
Died: Not known
Military Details
Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank: Private
Service Number: 21239
Date of Enlistment: 18 February 1916
Date of Discharge: 6 July 1918
Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service
Other Information: He suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm.
John was awarded Campaign medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Silver War Badge number 381244 on 25 July 1918
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.
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the "Discharge Badge", the "Wound Badge" or "Services Rendered Badge", was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.