Joseph Day

Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Personal Details

Born: 18 February 1870 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Edwin Day, a blacksmith, and his wife Ann. He married Eliza Hunt on 19 April 1894 in Whitchurch and together they had three children – Joseph, Hector and John.

Residence: In 1871 he lived in Yardington, Whitchurch, Shropshire confirmed as number 38 in the 1881 Census. By 1901 he had married and was living with his wife and children at 4 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch where he continued to live until his death.

Employment: Labourer

Died: September 1948 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 78, and was buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 27 September the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 42430 (previously 8051)

Date of Enlistment: 25 February 1915

Date of Discharge: 17 September 1917

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star) and the Silver War Badge.


Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The 1914 Star (also known as 'Pip') was authorised under Special Army Order no. 350 in November 1917 and by an Admiralty Fleet Order in 1918, for award to officers and men of the British and Indian Expeditionary Forces who served in France or Belgium between 5 August and midnight of 22–23 November 1914. The former date is the day after Britain's declaration of war against the Central Powers, and the closing date marks the end of the First Battle of Ypres.

The 1914–15 Star (also known as 'Pip') was instituted in December 1918 and was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served against the Central European Powers in any theatre of the Great War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915. The period of eligibility was prior to the introduction of the Military Service Act 1916, which instituted conscription in Britain.

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.




Silver War Badge

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

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.





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