Personal Details
Joseph Ankers Williamson, born in Cholmondley, Cheshire in 1892, the son of George Walker Williamson of 11 Park Road, Leek, Staffordshire and the late Mary Elizabeth Williamson.
Joseph was baptised in Bickley Cheshire; the 1911 Census shows him as working as a farm hand on his uncle’s (late Mother’s brother) farm.
Military Details
Regiment : 8th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment), formerly 1499 Cheshire Yeomanry
Rank : Lance Sergeant
Service Number : 31684
Killed in action; Belgium 2 August 1917 Aged 24
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 Nantwich Guardian 17 August 1917 of the death of Joseph A Williamson
"Information has been received that Sergeant Joseph A Williamson, South Lancashire Regiment, son of Mr. George Williamson, for many years proprietor of the Wilbraham's Arms Hotel, Nantwich, was killed by a sniper on August 1st. Sergeant Williamson's relatives are well known agriculturists in the Nantwich district, and he himself was following the business of a farmer, being with his uncle, Mr. F. Ankers of Cholmondley when he joined the Cheshire Yeomanry in October 1914. He went to the front in September 1916. Sergeant Williamson who was 24 years old in August was highly respected throughout the district. Educated at the Nantwich and Acton Grammar School, he had many friendsin the locality"
Nantwich Guardian 17 August 1917
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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives