Joseph Walford

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Personal Details

Born: 19 January 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 17 February the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.  

Family: According to the 1901 census Joseph Walford lived with his father George, mother Harriet and brothers and sisters Arthur (1882), Mary (1884), Alice (1887), Frederick (1888), Edward (1890), Ellen (1892) and Harriett (1896). No marriage could be found. He was still single in 1939.

Residence: The 1891 census shows that his family was already living in Watergate Street and this is where he was living in 1901 and 1911 (now 28 Watergate Street). His address on the Spring Urban Absent Voter’s list is still 28 Watergate Street as it is on the 1939 Register. When he died he was living at 42 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: The 1911 Census shows that he is an apprentice joiner in the building trade and in 1913 he became a member of the Amalgamated Society Of Carpenters and Joiners. The 1939 Register lists him as shop keeper greengrocer.

Died: 6 November 1970 in Shropshire, aged 77.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 4th Battalion

Rank: Private

Service Number: 19179

Date of Enlistment: Not Known

Date of Discharge: Not Known

Reason for Discharge: Not Known

Other Information: His brother, Edward also served in WW1, dying of illness in Germany on 7 February 1919, having previously been a prisoner of war. He is commemorated on Whitchurch Town Memorial.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and 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.


 

 


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