Project Diary - The Great War History Hub - The Great War History Hub

John Thomas Evanson

Regiment : 3rd/4th Battalion The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Rank : Corporal
Service Number : T/204906

Killed in action; Belgium 4 October 1917 Aged 30

Commemorated

Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium

Image provided by Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

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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James Stewart Clelland

Personal Details

Born: In 1890 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Family: He was the eldest child born to Andrew McLaren Clelland, a bread vanman, and his wife Margaret (nee Stewart). He had at least one sister, Margaret; identification of further siblings has not been possible due to the unavailability of Scottish records. There is a 1914 electoral register record for a James S Clelland living at 184 Slatefield Street, Glasgow (this may relate to the right man). In 1915 he married Dorothy Muriel Whiston in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had two daughters, Janet and Sheila.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his family in Cubie Street, Camlachie, Glasgow. By 1901 the family had moved to 32 Lochiel Street, Camlachie, Glasgow. His military medal card showed an address of Ryecroft, Belton Road, Whitchurch; this was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: It is possible that he was a postman in 1914.

Died: 24 January 1922 in Whitchurch and was buried on 28 January the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Welsh Regiment (previously Highland Light Infantry)

Rank: Second Lieutenant (Corporal in Highland Light Infantry)

Service Number: 14129 in Highland Light Infantry

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: He was admitted to a field hospital in France in 1917, and then to a hospital ship, with trench fever.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

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.

Oscar Stafford Bamber

Personal Details

Born: 19 November 1892 in Picton, New South Wales, Australia.

Family: He was the eldest of seven children born to William Bamber, a cheese factor and his wife Eva May (nee Stafford). He married Alice Beatrice Smith in 1919 in Chester. The couple had a daughter, Joan, born in 1921.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living in Grindley Brook, near Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 they had moved to 48 Station Road, Whitchurch. His address in 1939 was 5 Brook Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1974.

Employment: In 1911 he was a clerk in his father`s business and by 1939 a cheese manufacturer and factor.

Died: On 13 October 1974 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury, Shropshire and buried 17 October the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Liverpool Regiment (previously the Territorial Force)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 256459 (previously 4981)

Date of Enlistment: 17 July 1915

Date of Discharge: 15 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Disembodied on Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Roy Marston Bamber also served in WW1. He was taken prisoner of war on 30 November 1917 at Ephey and repatriated a year later, arriving at Dover on 22 November 1918.

Medals and Awards

Oscar was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

John Bernard Coggins

Information received from Mike Coggins 03/03/2021

My father, John Bernard Coggins b 5 June 1899 in Blackburn, 6 Bn South Wales Borderers (Pioneers) attended an Instructors Anti-Gas course at Prees Heath between 12 Sep 1918 to the 20 September 1918. At that time he was a LCpl. He was awarded a First Class Certificate of Instructor.

42nd (Anti-Gas) Western Command Centre, Prees Heath.

He was lectured by Capt Douglas, Capt Laithwaite and 2 Lt Hild.

His notes, about 120 pages, with beautiful coloured crayon drawings & diagrams are in a book which about 20 years ago I indefinitely loaned, with his WW1 medals, to Winterbourne Gunner where they undertake the NBC Instructors Courses. They typed up his notes and use them as an introduction to their current course. The course notes can be accessed on my FB Page and also on the Western Front Association website. Frank Baldwin, who recently retired as Chair of the Battlefields Trust, also used/uses his notes, particularly the coloured diagrams, on Sandhurst Cadets tour of the WW1 battlefields.

To view the notebook visit Mike’s facebook page

Incidentally, you are probably wondering my age. I am 62.

Once this current malaise is over I intend to visit the Brecon Museum as they have records of where he was in hospital. He was shot in the neck and gassed (probably chlorine) as he fell into a trench where barbed wire ripped off his gas mask. This was in a counter attack on Ploegsteert on the 10 April 1918. He was a private at that time. He was dragged out by a French Canadian to a first aid casualty station.

George Billingsley

Personal Details

Born: 2 March 1869 in Stockton, Shropshire and baptised on 21 March the same year in Stockton parish church.

Family: He was the seventh of eight children born to Thomas Billingsley, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Emma. No marriage can be located for George.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living at Apley Farm Cottages, Stockton. In 1871 and 1881 he was living with his family in Worfield, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. He was serving with the military in 1891 and 1901. His WW1 military records show his sister living in Painters Green, Whitchurch, Shropshire and his discharge to her address; in 1911 he was boarding at 62 Wistaston Road, Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire.

Employment: He was a labourer when he enlisted in 1889. Between 1903 and 1905 he worked as a labourer for London and North Western Railways. In 1911 he was a railway clerk.

Died: 1 April 1922 in Whitchurch, aged 52.

Military Details

Regiment: Border Regiment

Rank: Company Sergeant Major

Service Number: 35772

Date of Enlistment: 9 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 15 October 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: George enlisted in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in 1889 (number B70354), serving until 1902, including in the Boer War.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 2962)

Silver War Badge

John Barnett Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 9 August 1890 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 29 August the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch and known as Jack.

Family: He was the third of six children born to Arthur Joyce, a clockmaker, and his wife Jessie. He married Dorothy E Owen in 1938 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings in Chester Road, Whitchurch. The 1901 census shows their address as 40 High Street, Whitchurch and by 1911 they had moved to The Beeches, Chester Road, Whitchurch. ‘Joyce of Whitchurch Clockmakers 1690 – 1965’ records that he emigrated to Canada, joining the Royal North West Mounted Police in April 1912, serving with the force in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba until July 1914. He returned to the UK aboard the SS Missanabie, arriving at Liverpool on 24 January 1915. In 1917 when he was discharged from the army his address was 44 Station Road, Whitchurch (This was the address of his mother who by this time had been divorced from his father). In 1939 he was living at Sandford House, St Julian’s Friars, Shrewsbury.

Education: He was admitted to Whitchurch Boys Grammar School on 17 September 1900.

Employment: He was a clockmaker by trade, joining the family firm of J B Joyce & Co Ltd, rising to director and leaving them in 1923.

Died: In 1941 in Shrewsbury, aged 50.

Military Details

Regiment: Coldstream Guards

Rank: Private

Service Number: 15679

Date of Enlistment: 8 March 1915

Date of Discharge: 23 February 1917

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: He suffered gunshot wounds to his left knee. His brother, Arthur Bernard, was killed in action in 1917. His other two brothers, Horace William and Norman, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Jack was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals) and the Silver War Badge (number 32992)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Norman Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 23 August 1891 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 28 October the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. Norman had a twin brother Arthur Bernard. Norman was named in the civil birth, marriage and death records as William Rossall Joyce, but baptised as and known as Norman Joyce.

Family: He was the fourth child (with his twin brother) of Arthur Joyce, a clockmaker, and his wife Jessie. He married Margaret Nunnerley in 1920; together they had one child Dorothy Betty.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Chester Road, Whitchurch. By 1890 they had moved to 40 High Street, Whitchurch and in 1911 they were living at The Beeches, Chester Road, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living at 32 Station Road, Whitchurch and at the time of his death at Thornleigh, Station Road, Whitchurch (these are likely to be the same property).

Employment: He was a clockmaker.

Died: 27 December 1966 in Whitchurch.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: 200170 (previously 1473)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His twin brother Arthur Bernard was killed in action in 1917. His other two brothers, Horace William and John Barnett, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Norman was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Territorial Force War Medal

Campaign Medals

Territorial Force War Medal

The Territorial Force War Medal was a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas in World War I; it is the rarest of the five British Great War medals.

The medal was established in April 1920 for award to members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who volunteered for service overseas on or before 30 September 1914, and served overseas. They had to have been serving with the force on 4 August 1914 or have completed four years service with the force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined the force on or before 30 September 1914.

Thomas Mayor Parker

Personal Details

Born: 26 November 1866 in Wigan, Lancashire.

Family: He was the fourth of nine children born to Thomas Parker, a grocer, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Gwendolen Williamson (nee Thomas) in 1915 in Nantwich, Cheshire and together they had one child Massie Mayor.

Residence: In 1871 he was living with his family in Lime Street, Wigan. By 1881 the family had moved to 97 Scholes Street, Wigan and in 1891 Thomas was boarding at The Groves, High Street, Malpas, Cheshire. In 1911 he lived at 7 New Street, Whitchurch which may have been his veterinary practice. In 1939 he and his wife were living at Warren House, Prees Heath, Shropshire. At the time of his death he was living at 23 Dodington, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was a veterinary surgeon.

Died: 18 January 1946 in Whitchurch, and was buried on 22 January the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Veterinary Service

Rank: Acting Major

Service Number:

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Thomas served in the Boer War.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Ernest Samuel Povah

Personal Details

Born: 15 September 1883 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the son of William Povah and his wife Mary, nee Pace. He married Harriet Jean Easton in Canada. They had a daughter, Dorothy.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his grandparents at 1 New Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. He continued to live there until at least 1901. He emigrated to Canada in 1910 and in 1911 he was living at 211 Metcalfe, Ottawa, Ontario. When he enlisted in 1916 his address was Edison Avenue, Westboro, Ontario. At the time of his death in 1919 his home was 14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario.

Employment: In 1901 he was an ironmonger`s apprentice. By 1910 he had emigrated to Canada and was employed as a janitor. In 1916 his occupation was a hardware salesman.

Died: 25 October 1919 at Mowat Sanatorium, Kingston, Ontario, aged 36.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Private

Service Number: 246419

Date of Enlistment: 2 June 1916

Date of Discharge: 9 August 1916

Reason for Discharge: Medically unfit.

Other Information: On his Attestation documents he stated that he had served with the 53rd Shropshire Regiment King’s Shropshire Light Infantry for seven years and three years in the British Navy, but no military records can be found for him.

Medals and Awards

Ernest was not eligible for any medals.

Edwin Morris Venables

Personal Details

Born: 11 April 1870 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 8 June the same year at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of nine children born to William Venables, a grocer and his wife, Sarah Lucy, nee Hughes. He married Alberta Elizabeth Berney on 24 December 1900 in Winchester, Manitoba, Canada. The couple had four children, William Edwin, Evelene Beatrice, Lily May and Dorothy Lucy.

Residence: In 1871 his family were living in High Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire and in 1881 in Venables Yard, Whitchurch. He emigrated to Canada in 1885/6. In 1901 he and his wife were living in Brandon, Manitoba and between 1906 and 1911 their home was in Boissevain, Souris, Manitoba. In 1921 he was living in Sprague, Provencher, Manitoba.

Employment: In 1901 he was a farmer and in 1906 an agent in a lumber yard. On his enlistment in 1915 his occupation was a salesman, however on the 1921 Census he was a farmer.

Died: 15 November 1925 in Sprague, Manitoba, aged 55.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 151984

Date of Enlistment: 29 July 1915

Date of Discharge: 7 December 1918

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Edwin was awarded the Victory Medal

Victory Medal

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.

Christopher Riley

Personal Details

Born: 4 December 1896 in Ash, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fifth of six children born to John Riley, a chauffeur (later a farmer in Canada) and his wife Helena Annie, nee Ely. He married Caroline Emily Marsh on 22 December 1928 in Spokane, Washington State, U.S.A. The couple had a daughter, Elizabeth Jean.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living in Ash Parva, Ash, Shropshire. They emigrated to Canada in March 1903. By 1911 their home was in Yale and Cariboo, British Columbia. In 1930 and now married, he and his wife were living at 5528 Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. At the time of his death he was living in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Employment: At the time of his Attestation in 1917 he was a student.

Died: 23 March 1969 in Vancouver, British Columbia, aged 72.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Flying Corps. (previously Canadian Expeditionary Force (British Columbia Regiment))

Rank: Aviator Cadet (previously Private)

Service Number: 172563 (previously 2138582)

Date of Enlistment: 24 October 1917

Date of Discharge: 24 December 1918

Reason for Discharge: Being surplus to R.A.F. requirements

Other Information: His brother, William John, also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Christopher was awarded the Victory Medal

The Victory Medal

Robert Mainwaring Wynne-Eyton

Personal Details

Born: 12 January 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 19 February 1886 at St. Michael`s Parish Church, Marbury, Cheshire.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Colonel Charles Edward Wynne-Eyton and his wife Aline Mary, nee Wills. He married Leonora Bradfield, possibly in Nyasaland as no marriage record can be found in the UK records.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at Plas Bellin Hall, Northop, Holywell, Flintshire. At the time of his enlistment in 1914 he was living in British Columbia, Canada. In the 1920s he was living in Nyasaland and at the time of his death in 1959 his home was Cape Town, Western Cape,South Africa.

Employment: In 1914 he was a rancher, in the 1920s a big game hunter and in 1938 a planter.

Died: 8 September 1959 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force (previously Royal Flying Corps, Machine Gun Corps, Royal Naval Auxiliary Service and Canadian Expeditionary Forces)

Rank: Flight Commander (at the end of his service)

Service Number: 107759 (Canadian Expeditionary Force)

Date of Enlistment: 16 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 23 January 1919

Reason for Discharge: Transferred to unemployed list

Other Information: He was wounded on active service in Salonica in 1917. In 1918 he was reported missing, taken prisoner in the Netherlands and repatriated on 15 November 1918.

Medals and Awards

Robert was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 1 January 1918) and Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals). He was also Mentioned in Dispatches.

Military Cross

The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and used to be awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.
The Military Cross is granted in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces". In 1979, the Queen approved a proposal that a number of awards, including the Military Cross, could be awarded posthumously.

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.

Campaign Medals

Thomas Cappur Rolfe

Personal Details

Born: 2 August 1887 in Halghton, Hanmer, Flintshire and baptised on 28 August 1887 at Hanmer Parish Church.

Family: He was the sixth of seven children born to Samuel Gardiner Rolfe, a joiner and his wife Mary Ann, nee Gardner. He married Blanche Closson on 15 December 1920 in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada. The couple had three children, Thomas John, George Edward and Margaret.

Residence: From the time of his baptism in 1887 until at least 1901 his family were living at Tarts Hill, Halghton, Hanmer. It is possible that he emigrated to Canada in 1906. In 1921 and now married, he was living at Indian Head, Qu`Appelle, Saskatchewan. His family was still there in 1926.

Employment: When he enlisted in 1915 he gave his occupation as a gardener. In 1921 he was a farmer.

Died: 9 October 1952, aged 65 and buried in the Veterans Garden, Regina Cemetery, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Machine Gun Corps.)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 104941

Date of Enlistment: 22 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 26 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 2 April 1918) and Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

His Military Medal citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on January 22nd 1918. Under an intense bombardment the enemy attempted to raid our lines. L/Cpl Rolfe’s number 1 on his machine gun opened up, and maintained a heavy fire on the two parties of the enemy, breaking up their attack and forcing them to retire. Throughout the action he displayed great coolness and courage and set a splendid example to his men.“

Military Medal

Until 1993, the Military Medal (MM) was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land.
The medal was established on 25 March 1916. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Military Cross (MC), which was awarded to commissioned officers and, rarely, to warrant officers, although WOs could also be awarded the MM. The MM ranked below the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), which was also awarded to non-commissioned members of the Army.
Click on the tags below to see details of each recipient.

Campaign Medals

William John Riley

Personal Details

Born: 8 July 1886 in Ingatestone, Mountnessing, Essex and baptised on 25 July 1886 in Essex.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to John Riley, a coachman (later a farmer in Canada) and his wife Helena Annie, nee Ely. He married Beatrice May Hood – Barrs on 29 April 1922 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The couple had a son, Michael born in 1923.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at Broughall House Lodge, Broughall, Shropshire. By 1901 they had moved to Ash Wood Lane, Ash Parva, Shropshire. The family emigrated to Canada in 1903 and at the time of his Attestation in 1914 he gave an address of Celista, British Columbia. In 1921 his home was Celista, Shuswap Lake, Cariboo, British Columbia. He and his wife were living at 4495 Marine Drive East, Vancouver, British Columbia in 1935.

Employment: In 1914 he was a saddler and in 1921 a farmer. By 1935 he was a manager for an export company.

Died: 8 April 1937 in Vancouver, British Columbia, aged 50.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Railway Troop, previously 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles)

Rank: Acting Captain (previously Trooper)

Service Number: 107513

Date of Enlistment: 8 December 1914

Date of Discharge: 1 September 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In September 1916, whilst serving in France, he suffered a gunshot wound to his face. His brother Christopher, also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 23 July 1918), Military Medal (London Gazette 6 January 1917) and bar (London Gazette 23 February 1918) and Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

His citation for his Military Cross reads: ‘ For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attempting to save two 12 inch railway howitzers, and in saving a locomotive which would have fallen into the hands of the enemy. A number of breaks had to be repaired, and at one part of the journey the engine had to be taken over an 8 inch break in the rails. In spite of heavy machine gun and rifle fire he was successful, and the engine was then used to haul a trainload of material. He showed great courage under very trying conditions.’ The entry in the London Gazette reads: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He kept the guns of the forward section in action under intense fire for seven hours, firing 800 rounds from two guns. He only retired when the enemy opened machine gun fire at 150 yards, first putting his guns out of actions, and getting his men away with a minimum of loss.’

His citation for his first Military Medal reads: ‘During the whole of operations from September 27th and 28th until relieved this NCO obtained valuable information, particularly by getting in touch with elements of the company on our right, when machine gun fire was most intense. About 6 pm on the afternoon of the 29th the right flank of A Company was ‘in the air’ and the enemy making every endeavour to force our block. It was seen that a gap connecting the Company right flank with elements of B Company was necessary, the position of either not being known to the other. Cpl Riley took a bundle of stakes and a shovel and under heavy rifle and machine gun fire staked out about seventy feet of trench, which was dug and consolidated thus ensuring the safety of our flank.’

Military Cross

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

John Furber

Personal Details

Born: 12 June 1890 in Prees, Shropshire and baptised at St.Chad`s Church, Prees.

Family: He was the younger of two sons born to Elizabeth Ann Furber. At the time of his birth she was unmarried. His mother subsequently married Thomas Bate and together they had nine surviving children, John’s half siblings. He was brought up by Joseph Hockenhull, an agricultural labourer and his wife, Hannah. He married Violet Ruth Emmaline Sutton on 23 September 1926 in Timiskaming, Ontario, Canada. Sadly the couple were only married for two months before he died. No children can be found for the couple.

Residence: In 1891 he was living in Hollins Lane, Tilstock, Shropshire and in 1901 in Alkington, near Whitchurch. He emigrated to Canada in 1913, arriving on 11 April. When he was discharged from the Army in 1919 his address was Cemetery Hill, New Liskeard, Ontario. At the time of his death in 1926 he was living in Timiskaming, Ontario.

Employment: At the time of his enlistment in 1915 his occupation was said to have been a labourer. On his return to Canada in 1920 he was a farm labourer. In 1926 he was a gold miner.

Died: 17 November 1926, as a result of an accident at Tough Dakes Mine. He died in Kirkland Lake Hospital, Timiskaming, Ontario, aged 36.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Machine Gun Corps.)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 47858

Date of Enlistment: 28 May 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation in England

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 14 December 1917) and Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

His Military Medal citation read: 'For great presence of mind and gallantry on August 15 1917. This NCO showed remarkable courage and initiative in leading his crew and consolidating his position. He set his men a fine example during counter-attacks by his coolness and devotion to duty.’

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

George Nunnerley

Personal Details

Born: 26 March 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 11 October 1887 at St Alkmund`s Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the youngest of six children born to Thomas Nunnerley, a farmer and his wife Mary Ann, nee Pearson. He married Maggie Leslie Plumb on 2 August 1933 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. The couple had one child.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1911 his family were living at Bradeley Green, Wirswall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. An address of 16 Kitchener Court, McMillan Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was given for him when he was discharged from the Army in 1919.

Employment: In 1911 he was a dairy manager and in 1914, a creamery manager.

Died: 11 October 1954 in Manitoba, Canada, aged 67.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Canadian Dragoons)

Rank: Trooper

Service Number: 14516

Date of Enlistment: 24 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 28 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Arthur, also served in WW1 and died of wounds in Belgium on 27 April 1915, aged 29. His brother, John Edward, served in the Boer War.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign medals (1914 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William Roberts

Personal Details

Born: 29 April 1889 in Moreton Say, Shropshire and baptised on 26 May 1889 in Moreton Say Parish Church.

Family: He was one of six surviving children born to Henry Roberts, an agricultural worker and his wife Martha. He married Mary Jane Stewart on 5 December 1915 in Gateshead, Co Durham. They had a daughter, Mary S, born in 1916 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at New Street Lane, Moreton Say, Shropshire, but ten years later they had moved to Maerfield, Maer, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. In 1911 the family were living at Mossfield Cottages, Whitchurch, Shropshire. He enlisted in Edmonton, Canada in 1915 and there is an address of Torryburn, St John, New Brunswick on his records. On his discharge from the army in 1919 he gave his address as Mossfields Cottages, Whitchurch, Shropshire. It would appear from his records that he did not intend going back to Canada. However he returned to Canada on 31 December 1919 and emigrated to the United States of America on 24 September 1922; his last address in Canada was in St. John. He became a naturalised American on 29 March 1941 and was living at 165 Elm Street, Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts in 1942.

Employment: On his Attestation documents he gave his occupation as a farmer; in 1925 he was a machinist.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Army Service Corps.)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 436207

Date of Enlistment: 6 January 1915

Date of Discharge: 30 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: He suffered severe gunshot wound to his back in 1915, whilst serving in France.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Frederick Maddock

Personal Details

Born: 4 November 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 4 December 1889 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of five surviving children born to Daniel Maddock, an engine cleaner and his wife Mary Ellen, nee Ray. He married Minnie Jane Brown on 24 May 1920 at St. Barnabas Church, Toronto, Ontario. Frederick and Minnie had seven children – Frederick Daniel (who was killed in action in WW2), Clifford, Gordon, Leslie, Maude, Viola and Shirley.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1889 his family were living in Bark Hill, Whitchurch but two years later they had moved to Green End, Whitchurch. In 1901 their address was 11 Egerton Road, Whitchurch. By 1919 he was living at 200 Christy Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. At the time of his death in 1942 his home was 397 Lawrence Street, Oshawa, Ontario.

Employment: In 1915 he was a labourer on the railroad. In 1942 he was a guard at a munitions plant.

Died: 10 April 1942 at Christie Street Hospital, Toronto and buried 13 April the same year at the Oshawa Union Cemetery, Oshawa, Ontario, aged 52.

Military Details

Regiment: 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (1st Central Ontario Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 58216

Date of Enlistment: 9 April 1915

Date of Discharge: 31 August 1917

Reason for Discharge: Permanently unfit

Other Information: In September 1916 he was blown up and buried by shell fire, leaving him unconscious, resulting in severe shell shock.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William Tims Fleet

Personal Details

Born: 25 July 1891 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Joseph William Fleet, an ironmonger’s manager and his wife Elizabeth Helen, nee Tims. He married Jessie Alice Docker on 5 November 1925 in Penticton, British Columbia. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: On the 1891 Census his family were living in Alkington Road, Whitchurch. They were probably still living there when William was born in July of that year. By 1901 the family had moved to 183 Iffley Road, Cowley, Oxfordshire. William emigrated to Canada in 1909 and in 1911 he was living in Penticton, British Columbia. At the time of his death his home was in Grand Forks, British Columbia.

Employment: In 1911 he was a teamster and in 1914 a rancher. At the time of his death his occupation was a fruit inspector with the Dominion Department of Agriculture.

Died: 22 July 1948 in Grand Forks, British Columbia and buried on 26 July in the Lakeside Cemetery, Penticton, aged 56.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Mounted Rifles)

Rank: Lieutenant

Service Number: 107209

Date of Enlistment: 8 December 1914

Date of Discharge: 17 January 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In March 1916 he became dangerously ill with scarlet fever, diphtheria and paralysis.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Thomas William Higginson

Personal Details

Born: 18 August 1885 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of nine children born to Thomas Powell Higginson, a butcher and his wife Elizabeth. He married Mabel Michelhausen on 14 May 1915 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They had one daughter, Shirley, born in 1923.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings in Kirkdale Road, West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire. By 1901 the family had moved to 27 Cleveden Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The family emigrated to Canada in 1906. In 1916 he and his wife were living in Andras, Wetaskiwin, Alberta (although he was serving in Europe). By 1921 they had moved to 12006 87th Street, Edmonton, Alberta.

Employment: At the time of his Attestation in 1915 he was a draughtsman and in 1921 a bookkeeper.

Died: Not known.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Private

Service Number: 432600

Date of Enlistment: 11 January 1915

Date of Discharge: 23 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Before enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force he had been in the Naval Reserve. His brother, Richard Henry (known as Harry), was killed in action in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 237416)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

William Ernest Taylor

Personal Details

Born: 18 July 1885 in Tushingham, Cheshire.

Family: He was the sixth of seven children born to Samuel Taylor, a coachman and his wife Ann. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1889 his family were living in Tushingham, Cheshire. By 1901 they had moved to Willey Moor, Tushingham. He emigrated to Canada in 1903 and in 1916 when he enlisted in the army his address was 478 Aikins Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was included in the fourth US WW2 draft which meant that he was a US citizen and was living at 1215 Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles, California.

Employment: In 1901 he was a gardener`s apprentice and in 1916, a shipper. In 1942 he was working for an ice cream company.

Died: 27 January 1948 in Los Angeles.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Army Service Corps.)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 461491

Date of Enlistment: 3 March 1916

Date of Discharge: 30 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 187550)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

George Nicholls

Personal Details

Born: 8 February 1890 in Calverhall, Shropshire and baptised on 13 April 1890 at Holy Trinity Church, Calverhall.

Family: He was one of seven surviving children born to Benjamin Nicholls, a coachman and gardener and his wife Alice, nee Weaver. He married Louisa Emily Witherden in 1915 in Thanet, Kent and together they had a son Sidney G.. George married Ethel M Willett in 1940 in Crewe Cheshire. The couple already had five children, Dorothy, Joyce, Raymond, Robert and Maurice.

Residence: In 1891 and 1901 his family were living in Calverhall, Shropshire. He enlisted in Montreal but no address can be found for him during the time he was living in Canada. An address of 24 Beam Street, Nantwich Cheshire was written on his medal card. In 1939 he was living at 51 Manor Road North, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Employment: His occupation in Canada in 1914 was a teamster. By 1939 he was a labourer working on the railway.

Died: In 1975 in the Congleton and Crewe District, aged 84.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Field Artillery)

Rank: Bombardier

Service Number: 89963

Date of Enlistment: 16 March 1915 as George Weaver (previously 14 November 1914 as George Nicholls)

Date of Discharge: 14 July 1919 (previously 27 February 1915 as George Nicholls)

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation in England (previously as medically unfit)

Other Information: He originally enlisted as George Nicholls on 30 November 1914 but was discharged as medically unfit on 27 February 1915. He re-enlisted as George Weaver (his mother`s maiden name) on 16 March 1915.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Colin Campbell Letheren

Personal Details

Born: 14 August 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of six children born to Frederick John Letheren, a master tailor and his wife Nellie, nee Candlin. He married Lillian Leona Hammond on 26 January 1921 in York, Ontario, Canada. Having divorced his first wife he went on to marry Stella Golding Dawley on 4 March 1930 in York, Ontario. The couple had a two sons Glenn, born in 1932, and Keith.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living in Market Street, Oakengates, Priorslee, Shropshire. By 1906 their home was 39 Garden Lane, Chester, Cheshire. In 1907 the family emigrated to Canada and were living at 41 Durham Street, Guelph, Ontario in 1915. In 1921 and now married, his address was 221 Ridley Gardens, Parkdale, Ontario. By 1968 his home was Stewart Street, Halton, Oakville, Ontario.

Education: In 1906 he was attending Victoria Road School, Chester.

Employment: At the time of his Attestation in 1915 his occupation was a clerk, by 1921 a salesman for a magazine and in 1958 an insurance agent.

Died: Possibly 21 December 1971 in Halton, Oakville.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Field Artillery, Howitzer Brigade)

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 329964

Date of Enlistment: 26 June 1915

Date of Discharge: 10 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother Frederick Candlin Letheren also served with the Canadian forces in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Colin was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Thomas Crewe

Personal Details

Born: 12 January 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 3 February 1886 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of nine surviving children born to William Crewe, a labourer in a foundry and his wife Ann, nee Keefe. He married Esther Ann (Essie) Gray in 1908. The couple had eight children, Evelyn, Doris, Kathleen, Arthur, Helen, Phyllis, Hazel and Earl.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1886 his family were living in Tarporley Road, Whitchurch. By 1891 they had moved to Claypit Street, Whitchurch but ten years later they were living at Oddfellows Cottages, Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch. Thomas emigrated to Canada in 1905. From 1916 until at least 1948 his family were living at 89 Hart Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1951 he and his wife moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. In November 1954 they moved again to 2293 Woodlawn Street, Kelowna, British Columbia.

Employment: In 1901 he was a grocer`s errand boy. When he left the army in 1919 he joined the federal civil service, working in various occupations including a caretaker and elevator operator.

Died: 18 February 1955 at Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, British Columbia, aged 69.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Private

Service Number: 461405

Date of Enlistment: 15 February 1916

Date of Discharge: 4 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In October 1916, whilst serving in France, he was reported as missing but was found partially buried. As a result he suffered from shell shock. In 1918 he received gunshot wounds to both feet and his right arm. Three of his brothers, Arthur, George and Harry, and his uncle Charles also served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 162436)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Harry Crewe

Personal Details

Born: Henry, known as Harry, on 27 July 1879 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 13 August 1879 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of nine surviving children born to William Crewe, a labourer and his wife Ann nee Keefe. He married Lillie Challenor in 1903 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two daughters, Doris and Evelyn.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living at Chemistry, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1891 he was living at 44 Yardington, Whitchurch. His address in 1901 was 13 Foresters Terrace, Ruabon, Denbighshire. At the time of his attestation in 1915 he was living at Oak Street, Nanaimo, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This was still his family home in 1921. In 1930 they were living in Alsace Avenue, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A..

Employment: He enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry in 1901 at which time he was a moulder working for WH Smith, ironfounders. After leaving the Army in 1902 he joined the London and North Western Railway Company as a labourer. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he was a teamster. By 1921 his occupation was a labourer.

Died: 10 May 1958 in Los Angeles, California, aged 79.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Pioneer Battalion)

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 102097

Date of Enlistment: 1 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 1 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Harry served in the Boer War, as did his brother Frederick William. He received a gunshot wound to his leg whilst serving in France during WW1. His brothers Arthur, George and Thomas and his uncle Charles also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 176139)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Charles Crewe

Personal Details

Born: 3 May 1879 in Whitchurch,Shropshire and baptised on 25 June 1879 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of nine surviving children born to John Crewe, a labourer and his wife Margaret. He married Maud Alice Woodfine on 16 April 1900 in Wrexham, Denbighshire. The couple had four children, John Leslie, Gwendoline and twins Harry and Margaret.

At the time of his baptism and in 1881 his family were living in Chemistry, Whitchurch. By 1891 they had moved to 43 Yardington, Whitchurch. In 1901 and now married, his address was 108 King`s Mills Road, Wrexham, Denbighshire. Charles emigrated to Canada in 1907 and his wife and two children followed him in 1908. They settled in the Winnipeg area of Manitoba, living at a number of addresses including; 497 Boyd Street in 1911, 556 Mountain Avenue in 1916, 233 Bronx Street, Springfield in 1921 and 465 Oak View, Springfield in 1926. At the time of his death in 1936, his home was in St Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Employment: In 1900 he was a labourer; in 1901 he was an engine driver. In 1911 he was a night watchman at a brewery. By the time of his enlistment in 1916 his occupation was a railway checker.

Died: 7 March 1936 in St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Manitoba, aged 55.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Private

Service Number: 874112

Date of Enlistment: 17 February 1916

Date of Discharge: 8 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His son, John Leslie, also enlisted, but was discharged for being underage. His four nephews Arthur, George, Harry and Thomas also served in the Canadian Forces in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 14906)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Arthur Crewe

Personal Details

Born: 26 October 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 22 November 1893 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of nine surviving children born to William Crewe, a labourer and his wife Ann, nee Keefe. He married Maud Eveline Mellor in 1918 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Eileen Anna and Frederick Arthur.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1893 his family were living in Newtown, Whitchurch. On both the 1901 and 1911 Census their address was Oddfellows Cottages (Terrace), Whitchurch. He appears to have emigrated to Canada in 1911. In 1921 he and his wife were living at 836 Swan Street, Nanaimo, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria seems to have been his home for the remainder of his life.

Employment: On the 1911 Census he was described as a newsboy. His occupation upon his Attestation in 1915 was given as a chauffeur. After leaving the Army in 1919 until he retired he was a waiter.

Died: 1 March 1960 in Victoria, British Columbia and buried in Hatley Memorial Gardens, Colwood, Victoria, aged 66.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (61st Battalion)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 461219

Date of Enlistment: 10 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 28 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He sustained a gunshot wound to his head and hand whilst fighting in France. His brothers, George, Harry and Thomas and his uncle Charles also served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1.

Medals and Awards

Arthur was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Canadian War Service Badge (number 130272)

Campaign Medals

Canadian War Service Badge

Allinson Elsdon Wyatt

Personal Details

Born: 27 July 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 20 September the same year at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the youngest of three children born to Thomas Henry Wyatt, an engineer and his wife Ada, nee Parry. He married Marion McIntosh Cook on 18 September 1923 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The couple had two children, Yvonne and Tom.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1895 until at least 1911 his family were living at 178 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. He and his mother seem to have emigrated to Canada in 1913. He gave an address of 715 Stanley Street, Nelson, British Columbia on his Attestation in 1914, however by 1919 that had changed to 542 Montreal Street, Victoria. This was still his address in 1921.

Employment: In 1909 he was apprenticed to a carriage builder; in 1914 he was a chauffeur, but by 1921 he was a brakesman on the railway. At the time of his death in 1972 his occupation was stated as a retired refrigeration repairman.

Died: 30 January 1972 at the Veterans` Hospital, Victoria, Canada, aged 76.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Infantry, 1st British Columbia Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 23455

Date of Enlistment: 22 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 2 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Allinson was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Kathleen Emily Whitton

Personal Details

Born: 25 July 1886 in Wybunbury, Cheshire and baptised on 20 August 1886 at Wybunbury Parish Church, Wybunbury, Cheshire.

Family: She was the youngest of six surviving children born to Charles Roper Whitton, an agent for cattle food and his wife Elizabeth Mary, nee Hewat. She did not marry.

Residence: In 1891 her family were living at Heathfield, Hatherton, Nantwich, Cheshire. By 1901 they had moved to 8 Pepper Street, Nantwich. No trace can be found of her in the 1911 Census but her parent`s address was 32 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. She emigrated to the United States in 1913 and joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1917 her address was given as 353 Bay Street, South Hamilton, Ontario, Canada but by June 1918 she gave an address of 316 Cherry Street, San Francisco, California. On her United States Naturalisation documents in 1941 she was said to have resided at 22 East 91st Street, New York City, New York. Before her death in 1969 she had been living in Santa Cruz, California.

Employment: She was a nurse.

Died: In December 1969 in Worthing, Sussex.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Army Medical Corps.)

Rank: Nursing Sister

Service Number:

Date of Enlistment: 27 March 1917

Date of Discharge: 25 July 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Kathleen was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Alfred James O’Neill

Personal Details

Born: 13 March 1880 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of ten children born to Michael Joseph O`Neill and his wife Emily, nee Henshall. Alfred did not marry.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living in Chester Road, Whitchurch. Ten years later they had moved to Grindley Brook, Whitchurch. He and his family were still living there in 1901. His address on his attestation in 1916 was Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. His address when discharged in 1919 was 460 Jarvis Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He emigrated to the United States of America on 19 February 1923 and was living at 819 Towne Avenue, Los Angeles, California. In 1941 he was living at 4334 Russell Avenue, Holywood, California and in 1942 he was living at 343 Santa Rosa Hotel, Los Angeles.

Employment: In 1901 he was a journeyman bricklayer. At the time of his enlistment in Canada in 1916 he was a labourer.

Died: 16 March 1961 in Los Angeles.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Private

Service Number: 252336

Date of Enlistment: 3 March 1916

Date of Discharge: 12 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Michael, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William James Mostyn

Personal Details

Born: He was born James Worthington Mercer on 3 September 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 28 October 1887 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of seven children born to Walter Edward Mercer, a tailor and his wife Margaret, nee Worthington. He married Marie Jeanne Gabrielle Lotti between 1916 – 1919, though no marriage documentation can be found for this. The couple had five children, Jean Marie, James Albert, Frederick Frank, Walter and one other.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1887 his family were living in Claypit Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1891 they had moved to 85 Beech Street, Crewe, Cheshire. Ten years later they were at 501 Chorley Old Road, Bolton, Lancashire. When he enlisted in 1916 his address was GPO Saskatoon, Canada. At the time of his death his home was in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.

Employment: When he enlisted in Canada in 1916 he was a farmer. In 1940 he was a labourer.

Died: 21 April 1947 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, aged 59.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Army Medical Corps.)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 523999

Date of Enlistment: 10 July 1916

Date of Discharge: 31 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: There are some records within his military documents which state that he deserted, though there is no evidence to say that he was found guilty.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Robert Francis McHugh

Personal Details

Born: 16 August 1889 in Bettisfield, Flintshire and baptised on 1 September 1889 at Hanmer Parish Church, Hanmer, Flintshire.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to John McHugh, a publican and his wife Anne Elizabeth, nee Edwards. He appears to have married in Canada, though no actual records can be found for a marriage. The couple had a daughter, Bertha E, born in 1928. On the 1939 Register he is described as a widower. He married Ethel E West in 1940 in Gipping, Suffolk. No children can be found for this marriage.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living 34 Coleridge Street, West Derby, Lancashire. Ten years later his mother was a widow and the family were living at Tarts Hill, Bettisfield, Flintshire. In 1911 he was living at 25 Cross Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire. In 1914 he emigrated to Canada and appears to have settled in the province of Saskatchewan. He returned to England in 1935 and in 1939 his address was Rectory Farm, Church Hill, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. At the time of his death in 1970 his home was 13 Bride Street, Needham Market, Suffolk.

Employment: In 1911 he was a baker. Whilst in Canada his occupation was a farmer. In 1939 he was an agricultural worker.

Died: 14 October 1970 in the Samford district of Suffolk, aged 80.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 84153

Date of Enlistment: 27 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Whilst serving in France he was wounded on two separate occasions. The first time he received a gunshot wound to his shoulder and on the second occasion shrapnel wounds to his face and knee.

Medals and Awards

Robert was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Frederick Candlin Letheren

Personal Details

Born: 9 May 1896 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 31 May 1896 at the United Reformed Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Frederick J Letheren, a tailor and his wife Nellie, nee Candlin. He married Ellen Winifred Chaney on 8 June 1920 in Guelph, Wellington, Ontario, Canada. The couple had three children.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1896 his family were living in Bridgewater Street, Whitchurch. In 1901 their address was Market Street, Oakengates, Shropshire. The family emigrated to Canada on 24 October 1907. In 1921 and now married he was living at 42 Bruce Street, Galt, Waterloo, Ontario. At the time of his death in 1946 he was living in Sudbury, Ontario.

Employment: On his Attestation documents he gave his occupation as a salesman. In 1921 he was an interior decorator.

Died: 23 April 1946 in Sudbury, Ontario, aged 49.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Field Artillery)

Rank: Bombardier

Service Number: 84153

Date of Enlistment: 12 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 28 January 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Colin Campbell Letheren, also served in the Canadian Field Artillery in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Herbert Conway Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 12 February 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 6 August 1887 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Walter Conway Joyce, a clock manufacturer and his wife Edith Mary, nee Wilkinson. He married Elsie Mary Plumb on 9 December 1917 at St. Mark`s Church, Lewisham, London. The couple had five children, Mary Alice, Sydney Thomas, Dorothy Madge, Nora Winnifred and Leslie.

Residence: At the time of his baptism and in 1891 his family were living in High Street, Whitchurch. In 1901 his mother was now widowed and the family had moved to 17 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. Herbert emigrated to Canada in 1905 and was living in Liscar, Manitoba in 1911. This was the address he gave when he enlisted in 1915. By 1921 and now married he was living in King Street, Verdin, Brandon, Manitoba. At the time of his death his home was 502 Stewart Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Employment: In 1911 he was a farmer and in 1921 he was a buttermaker.

Died: 9 August 1973 at Deer Lodge Hospital, Winnipeg, aged 86.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Lord Strathcona`s Horse)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 551029

Date of Enlistment: 20 August 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Whilst serving in France he received a severe gunshot wound to his right thigh. His brother, Walter Dennis, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Herbert was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Richard William Fowles

Personal Details

Born: 31 January 1891 in Whixall, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of eight children born to John Fowles, a farmer and his wife Sarah, nee Batho. He married Edith Mary Skelton on 11 August 1919 in Kamloops, British Columbia. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at Higher Home Farm, Cumberland Lane, Whixall. Ten years later their address was Steele Heath, Prees, Shropshire. By 1911 he was a boarder at 12 Leasowe Avenue, Wallasey, Cheshire. He emigrated to Canada in 1913 and settled in Kamloops, British Columbia. In 1921 and now married, he was living at 1939 First Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia. At the time of his death in 1942 his home was 4990 Blenheim Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Employment: In 1911 he was a grocer. On his enlistment in 1915 his occupation was stated as a grocery clerk, however in 1921 he was a salesman.

Died: 5 May 1942 in Vancouver, British Columbia and buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Vancouver.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Army Medical Corps.)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 522785

Date of Enlistment: 3 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 July 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Arthur Samuel Evans

Personal Details

Born: 25 December 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 26 January 1887 at St. Alkmunds Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Samuel Evans, a stonemason and his wife Eliza, nee Adams. He married Doris Maltman on 6 April 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The couple had at least three children, Doris, Joan and Donald.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1901 his family were living in St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch. His mother died in 1906 and he and his family emigrated to Canada in 1909. By 1911 they were living in the MacDonald Districts of Manitoba. On his enlistment in 1915 he gave his address as 330 Roseberry Street, St James, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Between 1921 and 1926 and now married, his family were living at 177 College Street, St James, Winnipeg. At the time of his death in 1982 his home was in New Westminster, British Columbia.

Employment: He was a grocer.

Died: 25 June 1982 in Westminster, British Columbia, aged 95.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Acting Sergeant

Service Number: 829235

Date of Enlistment: 1 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 18 January 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Whilst serving in France he suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh.

Medals and Awards

Arthur was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William John Brown Bookey

Personal Details

Born: 8 May 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the only child born to William John Brownrigg Bookey, a naval surgeon and his wife Ann Elizabeth, nee Brown. He married Alice Roberta Ogilvie on 9 October 1929 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The couple had two sons, William Robert and Thomas Patrick.

Residence: In 1901 he and his widowed mother were living in St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. At the time he was drafted into the Army in 1917 his address was 224 Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When he died in 1979 his home was 120 Anne Street, Barrie, Ontario.

Employment: In 1917 he was a fitter of mechanical transport.

Died: 30 December 1979 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie, Simcoe County, Ontario, aged 93.

Other Information: In 1964 he was appointed as a serving brother of the Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. In 1975 this was ‘upgraded’ to Officer (Brother).

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Engineer Training Dept.)

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 2008240

Date of Enlistment: 8 November 1917

Date of Discharge: 20 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation, medically unfit for general service.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Richard Harry Madeley

Personal Details

Born: 12 November 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: Parents not known. He married Lilian Jones on 1 April 1920 at St Michael and All Angels Church, Blackburn, Lancashire. The couple had a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1921.

Residence: In 1891 and 1901 he was an inmate of the Union Workhouse, Whitchurch, Shropshire. When he enlisted in 1917 he was living at 836 Jubilee Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On his discharge in 1919 he gave an address of 18 Ribble Street, Blackburn, Lancashire. In 1939 his home was Clayton Manor Lodge, Blackburn.

Employment: In 1917 he was a packer and in 1939 a chauffeur and gardener.

Died: In 1951 in Darwin, Lancashire, aged 61.

Other Information: It has proved difficult to trace this man from birth to death. The research has concluded that the Harry Madeley who was an inmate in the Whitchurch Union Workhouse was the Richard Henry Madeley who married Lilian Jones in 1920 and the Richard H Madeley who died in Darwin, Lancashire in 1951.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (1st Central Ontario Regiment) (previously Royal Flying Corps Canada)

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 3040692 (previously Can 151228)

Date of Enlistment: Drafted into the Army on 4 September 1918 (previously enlisted in R.F.C. on 18 October 1917)

Date of Discharge: 17 June 1919 (previously discharged from R.F.C. on 2 September 1918)

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation (previously being no longer required upon annulment of transfer from R.F.C. to R.A.F.)

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

William Ewart Chidlow

Personal Details

Born: 11 April 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of four children born to John Chidlow, an insurance agent and his wife Jane, nee Bennett. His first wife died in 1912; he had one child, Eric Joseph, born from this marriage. He married Florence Sidwick in 1919 in Taunton, Somerset. The couple had three children, Florence, Marion Irene and John.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 24 Green End, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1901 the family had moved to 49 Hyde Road, Denton, Lancashire. By 1910 he was living in Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada. In 1919 his address was 2221 Pine Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1953 he and his family were living at 242 Bernard Avenue, Fraser Valley, Vancouver. At the time of his death in 1970 his home was in White Rock, Greater Vancouver.

Employment: In 1901 his occupation was a solicitor`s clerk. Upon his Attestation in 1914 he stated that he was a law clerk. The Canadian residency records indicate he was a secretary.

Died: 4 May 1970 in White Rock, Greater Vancouver, aged 83.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Mounted Rifle Regiment)

Rank: Acting Colour Sergeant Major

Service Number: 114054

Date of Enlistment: 17 December 1914

Date of Discharge: 3 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: 18 March 1918, War Office Listed – “Mentioned for valuable services rendered in connection with the war.“

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Albert Edward Baggaley

Personal Details

Born: 6 June 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the only child born to Albert Baggaley, a groom and his wife Sarah Ann, nee Richards. He married Damaris Cudworth in 1919 in Newhaven, Sussex. The couple had seven children – Anne Dawn, Marcele Dorthea, Cecil Alfred, Ralph P, Keith Robert, Edward and Elizabeth Nora. Albert and Damaris divorced in 1951.

Residence: In 1901 and 1911 his family was living at 194 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. He initially emigrated to Canada in 1912 and an address of Rossendale, Manitoba was given for him on his enlistment into the army in 1918. He was discharged in England in 1919 when his home was given as 10 St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch. He and his wife left Southampton for Canada on 1 June 1921, arriving in Quebec on 10 June. By 1926 his family were living in Brandon, Manitoba. At the time of his death in 1975 his home was in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Employment: In 1911 he was an errand boy and in 1918 a farm hand. When he emigrated in 1921 he stated that he was going to take a homestead.

Died: 18 January 1975 in Winnipeg, Manitoba aged 79.

Charles Vincent Austin

Personal Details

Born: 1 December 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 1 January 1890 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of four children born to William Austin, a schoolmaster and his wife, Kate. He married Eileen Ethel Whitting on 12 December 1916 at St. Oswald`s Parish Church, Sheffield, Yorkshire. The couple had two children, Elliot Vincent and Terence Charles.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living in Chester Road, Whitchurch, and were still there in 1891. By 1901 his father had died and the family had moved to 3 St. John`s Street, Whitchurch where his mother was the principal of a private school. There are addresses of 1154 Pacific Street, Vancouver, British Columbia and 275 Jarvis Street, Toronto,Ontario, Canada given for him on his Army medical records. The family returned to the UK in April 1927 and at the time of his death in 1927 his home was 50 Edgedale Road, Abbeydale, Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Employment: On his Attestation in 1916 his occupation was a clerk and bookkeeper; in 1927 it was a salesman.

Died: 27 November 1927 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, aged 37.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: 524967

Date of Enlistment: 24 August 1916

Date of Discharge: 31 May 1917

Reason for Discharge: On medical grounds with nephritis

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Harold Mark Anthony

Personal Details

Born: 9 March 1895 in Tilstock, Shropshire and baptised 19 May 1895 at Tilstock Parish Church, Tilstock.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Thomas James Anthony, a schoolmaster and his wife Harriet, nee Creswell. Harold also had eight half siblings. He married May Hughes on 9 June 1920 in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, Canada. No children can be found for the couple.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living in the School House, Tilstock, Shropshire. By 1911 he had moved with his widowed father to Tushingham, Cheshire. He emigrated to Canada in 1911, arriving on 4 May. In 1917 he was living in Branchton, Ontario. On his marriage in 1920 he gave an address of 23 Ainsley Street, Galt, Ontario but in 1921 he and his wife had moved to North Dumfries Township, Waterloo South, Ontario. An address of Felix Avenue, Windsor, Essex was given to him in 1957 on the Canada Voters List. At the time of his death in 1970 he was probably living in Windsor, Essex County, Ontario.

Employment: In 1911 he was a tailor`s assistant. At the time of his marriage he stated that his occupation was a farmer. The 1921 census shows him as a labourer and the 1957 voter’s list shows him as a foreman.

Died: In 1970 and buried in Windsor, Essex County, aged 75

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 3133902

Date of Enlistment: 11 May 1918

Date of Discharge: 19 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Ernest Patterson Anthony, also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1; another brother, Frederick Anderson Grant, also served as a Sergeant in the King`s Shropshire Light Infantry in WW1

Medals and Awards

Harold was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Ernest Patterson Anthony

Personal Details

Born: 10 October 1888 (although his military details all state 1889) in Dilwyn, Herefordshire and baptised on 28 April 1889 at Tilstock Parish Church, Tilstock, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of four children born to James Anthony, a school master and his wife Harriet, nee Cresswell. He had eight half brothers and sisters. He married Eula Stuart between September 1919 and January 1920 and had two step children, Robert and Maxine Stuart.

Residence: In 1891 and until at least 1901 his family were living in the School House, Tilstock, Shropshire. He emigrated to the United States in 1908 and at the time of his enlistment in 1917 his address was given as 401 West Market Street, Christopher, Illinois. In 1920 and now married, his family were living in Tyrone Township, Franklin, Illinois. Ten years later they were lodging at 6048 Harpar Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. In 1940 their home was still in Chicago.The address given for him at the time of his death in 1980 was 62884, Sesser, Franklin, Illinois.

Employment: In 1917 his occupation was given as a sales clerk and cook, in 1920 a salesman in a clothing store and in 1930 an assistant manager in a restaurant. By 1940 he was a cook in a restaurant.

Died: 20 December 1980 in Franklin Hospital, Benton, Franklin, Illinois, aged 92.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Acting Corporal

Service Number: 3031139

Date of Enlistment: 18 November 1917

Date of Discharge: 17 September 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, Harold Mark, also served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1; another brother, Frederick Anderson Grant, also served as a Sergeant in the King`s Shropshire Light Infantry in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Ernest was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Canadian War Service Badge

British War Medal

William Crewe

Personal Details

Born: In 1875 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 26 December 1875 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church.

Family: He was one of seventeen children (only 8 of whom survived) born to William Crewe, a painter and his wife Margaret. He married Mary Gilbert on 12 July 1905 at St. Chad`s Church, Prees, Shropshire. The couple had four children, Edith May, Albert George, Martha Ellen and William Ernest.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living in St John`s Street, Whitchurch. By 1891 they had moved to 30 Newtown Street, Whitchurch and ten years later they had moved again to 38 Yardington, Whitchurch. In 1911 and now married, his home was 9 Barlow`s Yard, High Street, Whitchurch. On his enlistment in 1916 he gave an address of 41B Newtown, Whitchurch, however by 1917 that had changed to 34 Yardington, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1937.

Employment: He was a painter`s labourer in 1916.

Died: December 1937 in Whitchurch, and was buried on 3 January 1938 in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 62.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Rank: Private

Service Number: 019782

Date of Enlistment: 4 July 1916

Date of Discharge: 7 August 1917

Reason for Discharge: Epilepsy

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 120534)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Frederick Anderson Grant Anthony

Personal Details

Born: 11 April 1880 in Almeley, Herefordshire.

Family: He was one of nine children born to James Anthony, a school master and his wife Margaret, nee King. He also had four half siblings. He married Eleanor Burrows in 1906 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, George Frank and Margaret H. Sadly Margaret died in the year in which she was born.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living in Short Heath, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. By 1891 they had moved to the School House, Tilstock, Shropshire. This was still their home in 1901. By 1911 and now married with a son his family were living at 69 Talbot Street, Whitchurch. An address of 39 Talbot Street was given for him in 1918 when he was a prisoner of war. In 1939 he was living at Hazelwell, Queens Road, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1969 his home was 20A Claypit Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1901 his occupation was a wheelwright. By 1911 he was a foreman in a timber yard and in 1939 the manager of the timber yard.

Died: 29 June 1969 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 201185

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Evans

Regiment : 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (previously Monmouthshire Regiment)
Rank : Private
Service Number : 54920 (previously 4493)

Killed in action; France 30 April 1917 Aged 28

Commemorated

Arras Memorial, France

Image provided by Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Alfred Edwards

Regiment : 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (previously Monmouthshire Regiment)
Rank : Private
Service Number : 54923 (previously 4326)

Died of illness; France 4 February 1917 Aged 34

Commemorated

Etaples Military Cemetery, France

Image provided by Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Alexander Milne Watson

Personal Details

Born: 10 January 1879 in Kirriemuir, Forfarshire, Scotland.

Family: He was the eldest of two children born to Alexander Milne Watson, a solicitor, and his wife Mary. He married Lilian Marion Weaver in 1906 and together they had three children – Thomas, Edmund and Lilian.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings at Kirktonshae House, East Roods Street, Kirriemuir. In 1891 he was living with his sister and his maternal grandparents in Ash Wood Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire; in the late 1890’s/early 1900’s he was serving with the Gordon Highlanders in the Boer War in South Africa. Having married in 1906, in 1911 his wife was living at 44 Mardol, Shrewsbury with their children and her widowed mother; Alexander was not with them. His RAF service record showed an address in 1918 of Myrtle House, Port Hill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living with his family at 17 Grove Avenue, Vicars Cross, Cheshire; this was his address when he died in 1947.

Employment: He was a career soldier.

Died: 26 July 1947 in Vicars Cross, near Chester, Cheshire, aged 68.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, seconded to the Royal Air Force at the end of WW1

Rank: Captain

Service Number:

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Alexander was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Humphreys

Personal Details

Born: In 1875 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 25 January the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. He was also known as Jack Humphries.

Family: He was the fifth of ten children born to Thomas Humphreys, a tollgate keeper, and his wife Mary. John did not marry, but his military pension record indicates he had two illegitimate children whose guardian after he died was Miss M Leigh living at 84 Crown Street, City Road, Hulme, Manchester.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Redbrook, near Whitchurch; by 1881 they had moved to Whitchurch Road, Hanmer, Flintshire, Wales where they were still living in 1891. In 1911 John lived at 71 Albert Road, Oswestry, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1891 and 1911 he was a railway porter. In 1901 he was serving with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in South Africa.

Died: 13 July 1920 in Chorlton, Lancashire.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 14912

Date of Enlistment: 14 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 8 February 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for service

Other Information: John served in the Boer War (Private 3389 King’s Shropshire Light Infantry).

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 41939)

Silver War Badge

Joseph Lees

Personal Details

Born: 27 July 1881 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and was baptised on 11 September the same year in Ightfield Parish Church, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of four children born to Joseph Lees, a farmer, and his wife Mary Ann. Mary Ann died in 1890 and Joseph senior married Elizabeth Alice Garside in 1895 and together they had one child, a half sibling for Joseph junior. Joseph junior married Alice Edge on 14 January 1908 in Oldham and together they had eleven children – Annie, Harold, Fred, Alice, Joseph, Mary A, Wilfred (known as Bill), twins Ellen (known as Nell or Nellie), Albert and two who died at birth.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Ightfield; by 1891 they had moved to Ashton Road, Oldham, Lancashire. In 1901 Joseph was serving with the Manchester Regiment and living at their barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire. By 1911, and now married, Joseph was living in Brunswick Street, Oldham. His military discharge papers show an address of 65 Webster Street, Oldham which was still his address in 1939.

Employment: He was a general labourer.

Died: In 1975 in Oldham, aged 94.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Liverpool Regiment and Manchester Regiment)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 487241 (previously 33572 and 2108)

Date of Enlistment: 19 July 1913

Date of Discharge: 10 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Joseph had previously served with the Manchester Regiment between 1900 and 1912, including in the Boer War. During WW1 he served in France and Egypt, suffering a gunshot wound and deafness.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Herbert Thornton

Personal Details

Born: 23 August 1878 in Broughall, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of twelve children born to John Thornton, a farm labourer, and his wife Mary Jane. He married Mary Moores on 24 February 1904 in the Wesleyan Chapel, Whitchurch and together they had two children, Nellie and George Herbert. Sadly, Mary died in 1916; Herbert married Elizabeth Palin in 1918 in Whitchurch and together they had four children – Doris Elsie Palin, Mildred, Jack and Bob.

Residence: In 1881, he was living with his parents and siblings at Melverley, Whitchurch; by 1891 the family had moved to Green End, Whitchurch. Herbert was serving with the military in South Africa at the time of the 1901 Census. In 1911, having married, he was living with his wife and first child at 43 Tilstock, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living at 22 Tilstock where he continued to live until his death.

Employment: He enlisted in the military in 1898, serving through until his discharge in 1915, including a period in the Reserves. On his attestation in 1898 he stated his occupation as labourer. In 1911 he was a domestic gardener and in 1939 a general labourer.

Died: 17 April 1947 in Tilstock.

Military Details

Regiment: Cheshire Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 5823

Date of Enlistment: 8 September 1898

Date of Discharge: 27 July 1915

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: He suffered a gunshot wound to the spinal column which led to his discharge; no trace can be found of Herbert being awarded a Silver War badge. He served in South Africa in the Boer War.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

James Major Ramsbottom Sutcliffe

Personal Details

Born: 26 June 1881 in Petersham, New South Wales, Australia and baptised on 17 July the same year in St. Peter’s Church, Cumberland, Sydney, Australia.

Family: He was one of six children born to Frank and Catherine Evelyn Sutcliffe. No marriage can be traced for James.

Residence: He was initially brought up in New South Wales, Australia. His parents returned to the UK sometime between 1887 and 1891, initially living at Wood Green, Church Minshull, Cheshire. They moved to Whitchurch, living at 172 Wrexham Road in 1901 and Bridge Cottage, Heath Lane, although James was not with them. We know that he served in the Boer War so was likely to be in South Africa. We know that in 1911 he returned to Southampton, travelling from Durban which suggests that he made his home in South Africa.

Employment: He was a farmer in 1914.

Died: In 1953 in Transvaal, Pretoria, South Africa.

Other Information: He was admitted to the Standerton Transvaal Freemason Lodge on 28 July 1914.

Croix de Guerre

The World War I Croix de guerre was established by royal decree on 25 October 1915 as an award for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. It was only awarded to individuals. The Croix de guerre was not only awarded for bravery but also for three years or more of service on the front line, or for good conduct on the battlefield. It was also awarded to volunteers older than 40 or younger than 16 after a minimum of 18 months of service, to escaped prisoners of war rejoining the armed forces, and to military personnel who were placed on inactive duty because of injury.

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.

Mentioned in Dispatches

A member of the armed forces mentioned in dispatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described.

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Thomas Edwin Houghton

Personal Details

Born: 24 January 1889 in Sandiway, Cheshire and baptised on 24 February the same year in Weaverham Parish Church, Cheshire.

Family: He was the second of four children born to Edwin Houghton, a stud groom, and his wife Emily. He married Julia M Allen in 1919 in Chester, Cheshire and together they had three children – Kenneth H, Peter H (who were twins) and Sylvia J.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family were living in Sandiway; by 1891 they had moved to School Road, Weaverham, Cheshire. In 1901 he was living with his family at Hill Farm, Ince, Chester, Cheshire and by 1911 they had moved to 30 Brook Lane, Chester. Thomas’s military papers indicate his address as Hinton Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. From at least 1939 to his death he lived with his wife and children at 11 Northway, Curzon Park, Chester.

Employment: In 1911 he was a chauffeur; in 1939 he was a garage proprietor.

Died: 7 May 1969 in Chester, aged 80.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: M2/079537

Date of Enlistment: 24 April 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother Edmund Mostyn Houghton also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Meritorious Service Medal

The following Whitchurch men were recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal :

M2/167596 Private Alfred James Woolley, Royal Army Service Corps
Whitchurch, Shropshire – 14 May 1920

S4/144030 Corporal Thomas Barnett Cartwight, Army Service Corps
Whitchurch, Shropshire – 14 June 1918

Sapper J Harvey

Corporal T E Houghton

N.B. the date given is when the announcement appeared in the London Gazette

Campaign Medals

George Gordon Shone

Personal Details

Born: 7 August 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and was baptised on 1 September that year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the youngest of six children born to John Shone, a chemist and grocer, and his wife Mary. His father died in 1889 and his mother married George Galloway in 1894. George married Eva Roller in 1915 in Maidenhead, Berkshire. By 1925 they had divorced. No children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1891 he lived with his family at 27 High Street, Whitchurch. He was living in Canada from 1903 to 1914 and 1923 to 1924. In the 1923 and 1925 electoral registers his address at which he was registered to vote was 67,68 Jermyn Street, London SW1 (his abode was shown as 3 Pall Mall Place, London SW1). He died in Florida, USA.

Employment: He was a mining engineer.

Died: 23 March 1929 in Miami, Florida, USA, aged 42.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Major

Service Number:

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother Leighton Edward Shone also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Gordon was awarded the Military Cross and Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Cross

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Campaign Medals

Paul Humphrey Clarke

Personal Details

Born: 17 June 1891 in Godstone, Surrey and was baptised on 25 July the same year in Godstone Parish Church.

Family: He was the youngest of three children born to William Alexander Clarke, a solicitor, and his wife Sarah Helen Ann Deville. He married Joyce Chicheley Plowden in 1927 in Exeter, Devon and together they had three children – Barbara, Humphrey and Paul Ivor.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his parents residence was Calcutta, India; by 1901 they were living in New Woodhouses, Whitchurch, Shropshire and by 1911 at Broughall Cottage, Whitchurch. His father’s address of Ash Corner, Whitchurch was shown on his military papers. By March 1926 he had bought a farm in Kenya. His youngest son was born in Hartney Wintney, Hampshire in 1931. He settled in Kenya, living at Charity Farm, Nyeri at the time of his death.

Employment: After the war he was a farmer.

Died: 17 July 1946 at Nairobi, Kenya, aged 55.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force Machine Gun School (previously Royal Garrison Artillery and East Africa Mounted Rifles)

Rank: Lieutenant (previously trooper in East Africa Rifles)

Service Number: 201 with East Africa Mounted Rifles

Date of Enlistment: 1914 or earlier

Date of Discharge: 24 February 1919 (discharged medically unfit from East Africa Mounted Rifles on 13 September 1915)

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Paul was awarded the Military Cross and Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Cross

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.

Campaign Medals

Joseph Coulthirst Frith

Personal Details

Born: 5 September 1884 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 8 October 1884 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the son of Henry Coulthirst Frith, a plumber and his wife Mary, nee Hayward. He married Jennie Marshall Robson on 7 September 1907 in London City, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada. The couple had six children, Robert, Florence, Jean, Isabella, Joseph and Abiel.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 71 Green End, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1901 he was a soldier based at the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Barracks, Wrexham, Denbighshire. He emigrated to Canada in 1903. In 1911 and now married, his home was at 375 Glebes Street, London City, Ontario. At the time of his Attestation in 1914 the family had moved to 10 Argyle Street, London, Ontario. By 1927 his home was 34 Oxford Street, London, Ontario.

Employment: When he enlisted in 1914 he was a tailor`s fitter, however at the time of his death he was a dental mechanic.

Died: 7 May 1927 at the Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, aged 42.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Canadian Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Rank: Lieutenant

Service Number: 12937, 53072

Date of Enlistment: 23 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 31 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He spent 7 years in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, serving in South Africa during the Second Boer War, before emigrating to Canada.

In 1916 he suffered a severe gunshot wound to his upper jaw and neck which resulted in him having difficulty chewing and swallowing his food.

Medals and Awards

Joseph was awarded the Military Medal, the Croix de Guerre, the Royal Humane Society Medal and Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Medal

Croix de Guerre

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Campaign Medals

William Charles Beckett

Personal Details

Born: 17 December 1882 in Brunel, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

Family: He was the third of four children born to Henry Percival and Rosa Helen Beckett. He married Madge Farrington in Whitchurch, Shropshire in 1906; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Education: He was admitted into Whitchurch Boys Grammar School on 23 December 1890.

Residence: William returned from Canada with his widowed mother and siblings and lived at 7 Brownlow Street, Whitchurch in 1891. In 1911 William and Madge were boarding in Park View, Kettering, Northamptonshire. When he enlisted in 1915 his wife’s address was shown as 1377 Van Horne Avenue, Montreal, Canada, but his military papers showed his mother’s address of The Bungalow, Whitchurch. In August 1915 Madge returned to the UK and lived with her family in Bolton, Lancashire. In 1939 they were living at 52 Newtown Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Employment: In 1911 and 1939 he was a leather salesman. His attestation papers in 1915 showed him as a storekeeper.

Died: In 1942 in Wellingborough.

Military Details

Regiment: Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force (attached to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private (Lieutenant when commissioned into Imperial Army)

Service Number: 65060 (Canadian Forces)

Date of Enlistment: 25 January 1915

Date of Discharge: 4 September 1916 (date of discharge from KSLI not known)

Reason for Discharge: To take up a commission in the Imperial Army

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Military Cross and Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Cross

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Campaign Medals

Wilfred Madeley

Personal Details

Born: 16 April 1889 in Grindley Brook, Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 22 May the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fifth of ten children born to Henry Madeley, a labourer and his wife Mary Elizabeth. He married Elizabeth A Elsley in 1920 in Whitchurch and together they had three children – Phyllis J, Florence N and Thomas H.

Residence: He lived in Grindley Brook at the time of his baptism, in 1901 and 1939. In 1919 his address was Bradley Bank, Malpas, Cheshire; at the time of his death he was living at 23 Yardington, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1907 and 1909 he was a labourer working for the London and North Western Railway. In 1939 he was an agricultural labourer.

Died: 20 November 1961 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 72, and was buried on 27 November the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 26586

Date of Enlistment: 26 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 17 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Surplus to military requirements

Medals and Awards

Wilfred was awarded the Military Medal, Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and Silver War Badge (number 504570)

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

William Vincent Birchall

Personal Details

Born: 17 January 1896 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the only child of William Caleb Birchall, an ironmonger, and his wife Mary Ellen, nee Pickford. He married Annie Boutflour Dickman (known as Nancy) in 1922 in Morpeth, Northumberland and together they had two children Kenneth F (who sadly died at the age of two) and Philip R.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his parents at 23 St. John’s Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 they had moved to 10 Richmond Terrace, Station Road, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living with his wife and child at Roddam House, Alport Road, Whitchurch and at the time of his death he lived at 28 Highfields Avenue, Whitchurch.

Education: He attended Whitchurch Grammar School between 21 January 1905 and 22 December 1909. He left to attend St. Oswald’s College, Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was assisting in his father’s ironmongery business in High Street, Whitchurch. His father took him into partnership in 1925 and he remained running the business until it closed in 1971. His father retired in 1953.

Died: 2 April 1983 at the Cottage Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 87, and his ashes were interred in Whitchurch cemetery on 10 April the same year.

Other Information: William (or Vincent as he was known) was President of Whitchurch Rotary club 1952/53 and was a long term rotarian.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 26600 (previously 2114)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Military Medal and Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

George Grindley

Personal Details

Born: In 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and was baptised on 7 October the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the second of three children born to George Grindley, a railway shunter, and his wife Ellen. No marriage can be traced for George junior.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in West End, Whitchurch; in 1901 and 1911 he was living with his parents and siblings at 58 Oddfellows Cottages, Whitchurch. His address at the time of his death was 58 West End, Whitchurch (these three dwellings are likely to be the same).

Employment: In 1911 he was a newsboy.

Died: 5 February 1923, killed in action whilst serving with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Tauda China, Waziristan, India.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Rank: Company Sergeant Major

Service Number: 37791

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: George re-enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (number 4179610) on 11 March 1919, going on to lose his life in action in Waziristan, India. He is commemorated on the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Waziristan War Memorial inside St. Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 14 May 1919) and the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

Harry Beddows

Personal Details

Born: Henry Beddows on 1 February 1890 in Tilstock, Shropshire. His family changed their name from Beddow to Beddows between 1901 and 1911.

Family: He was the ninth of twelve children born to Thomas Beddow, a railway labourer and his wife Christina. He married Kathleen Annie Brookes (nee Ankers) in 1920 in Chester, Cheshire and together they had three children – Martha F and twins Eric and Harry.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his family in Steele Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire; by 1901 they had moved to Tilstock Village where they continued to live in 1911. In 1939 he was living at 17 Hollins Lane, Wem, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a farm labourer; in 1939 he was a skilled bricklayer.

Died: In 1963 in Whitchurch, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Rank: Private

Service Number: 17573

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 13 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother Thomas also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 23 July 1919) and the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

George Robert Jones

Personal Details

Born: 26 May 1883 in Lilleshall, Shropshire and was baptised on 24 June the same year in Lilleshall Parish Church.

Family: He was the oldest of three children born to George Jones, a gardener, and his wife Eliza. He married Caroline Anne Rees on 1 May 1909 in Builth, Breconshire, Wales and was father to Lilian and Josephine.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family was living in Lilleshall. In 1891 the family was living at 17 Lutton View, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1901 they were living at 87 Tedsmore Bank, West Felton, Oswestry, Shropshire. In 1911 he was living at Hanmer, near Whitchurch, Shropshire and in 1916 he was living at 39 Worthington Street, Whitchurch. At the time of his death he was living at 1 Hollymount, Shavington, near Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was a grocer’s porter; in 1911 he was a domestic footman. When he enlisted he indicated his occupation as chauffeur and in 1939 he was a motor driver.

Died: 31 July 1958 at the Promenade Hospital, Southport, Lancashire, aged 72.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Driver

Service Number: 194893

Date of Enlistment: 10 May 1916

Date of Discharge: 22 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

William Edward Judson

Personal Details

Born: 19 January 1886 in Tilstock, Shropshire and baptised on 21 February 1886 in Tilstock Parish Church.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Edward Judson, a railway porter, and his wife Ann. He married Gladys Dyer in 1916 and was father to Eileen.

Residence: In 1886 and 1891 the family was living at Diglake, Tilstock, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1901 he had left school and was living at Steele Heath, Prees, Shropshire. In 1911 he was living back with his family at 6 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, but by 1915 they had moved to 1 Catteralls Lane, Whitchurch. At the time of his demobilization his address was recorded as 6 Walls Bank, Wall, Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was working as a domestic groom, but by 1911 he was employed as labourer at an Iron Foundry.

Died: In 1960 in Whitchurch, aged 74.

Military Details

Regiment: Tank Corps (previously Machine Gun Corps and Yorkshire Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 95208 (previously 6679)

Date of Enlistment: 30 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 5 December 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In some military records his second name is listed as George. He could not be found in the 1939 Register although his wife, Gladys, was living with her mother at 4 Council Houses, Wem, Shropshire.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Frederick Moffatt Johnson

Personal Details

Born: 15 April 1880 in Hanley, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire and baptised on 19 March 1895 in the Parish Church of Northwood, Hanley.

Family: He was the second of three children born to William Thomas Johnson, a potter’s manager, and his wife Jane. No marriage can be traced for Frederick.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at 83 Mount Street, Stoke-upon-Trent; by 1901 they had moved to 9 Jervis Street, Hanley. At the time he enlisted he was living at Hadley Farm, Wrexham Road, Whitchurch. At the time of his death he was living at 95 Brook Street, Hanley.

Employment: In 1901 he was a groom; at the time he enlisted he was a farm assistant.

Died: In 1922 in Stoke-upon-Trent, aged 42.

Military Details

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (previously Cheshire Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 28194 (previously 30588 and 50457)

Date of Enlistment: 30 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 May 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: He suffered a gunshot wound to the ankle.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 363762) awarded 21 May 1918

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

William John Hughes

Personal Details

Born: 14 April 1879 in Tarporley, Cheshire.

Family: He was the fourth of eight children born to Robert Hughes, a joiner, and his wife Catherine. He married Mabel Catherine Roberts on 27 January 1912 in Bangor, Caernarvonshire, Wales and was father to Henry, William, Alice and Evelyn.

Residence: In 1881 the family lived at Riddal Heath, Tarporley, Cheshire and in 1891 they lived at Havelock Street, Monks Coppenhall, Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1901 he was living at Garden Bothy, Llandwrog, Carnarvon, Caernarvonshire and in 1911 was at Ripley Leeds, Ripley, West Riding. In 1915 he was living at Edgeley Bank, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 he lived at Hall Lodge Pickhill, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales.

Employment: He was a gardener until at least 1939.

Died: In 1973 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales, aged 94.

Other Information: During the war his family was living at Bala Cottage, Llandegai, Bangor.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 301987

Date of Enlistment: 10 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 24 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Frank Jones

Personal Details

Born: 5 November 1882 in Waverton, Cheshire and baptised on 10 December the same year in the Parish Church of Waverton.

Family: He was the third of seven children born to William Jones, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Eliza. He married Sarah Alice Hayman on 27 December 1909 in Saltney Parish Church, Cheshire and together they had three children – Arthur Robert, Frances May and Frank Hayman.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1901 he was living in Waverton with his parents and siblings. In 1911, and now married, he lived at 9 Brook Lane, Vicars Cross, Great Barrow, Chester, Cheshire. From at least 1915 to 1918 he was living at 10 Worthington Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire and in 1939 he lived at 11 Hillfield Place, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was a carter on a farm; from 1911 to at least 1939 he was a Post Office engineering lineman.

Died: Possibly in 1954 in Crewe, Cheshire, aged 72.

William Ben Robinson

Personal Details

Born: 23 April 1883 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth child born to William Robinson, a post office clerk and his wife Emily Jane, nee Lloyd. He married Dora Davies on 3 June 1909 at St John`s Methodist Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Joan, born in 1917.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 37 Albert Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, however by 1901 they had moved to 15 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury. In 1911 and now married, his address was 207 Station Road, Kings Heath, Worcestershire. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he was living at 40 Phipson Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. The 1939 Register showed an address of 10 Hollywood Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. This continued to his home until his death in 1959.

Employment: In 1911 he was described as a sorting clerk and telegraphist working for the G.P.O. This was still his occupation in 1915. By 1939 he was an Assistant Superintendent in the postal division of the G.P.O. in Birmingham.

Died: 17 January 1959 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, aged 75.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 194931

Date of Enlistment: 11 October 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

William Price Jones

Personal Details

Born: 3 May 1893 in Richard’s Castle, Herefordshire and baptised on 8 August 1893 in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ludlow, Shropshire.

Family: He was the younger of two children born to William Jones, a blacksmith, and his wife Sarah. He married Beatrice Farmer on 3 March 1915 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ludlow and was father to William, Sarah, Gertrude, Percy, Victor, Alan, Leslie and Cecil.

Residence: In 1901 the family was living at The Poplars, Richard’s Castle, Ludlow. In 1911 he was living at the Blacksmiths Shop, Richards Castle. At the time of enlistment he was living at 25 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire but subsequently moved to the Police Station, Cheswardine, Market Drayton, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living at Mitnal Farm, Ludlow where he continued to live until his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was a waggoner on a farm and by 1915 he was a Police Constable. In 1939 he was a dairy farmer.

Died: 20 December 1947 in Richard’s Castle, aged 53.

Sydney Lloyd Jones

Personal Details

Born: 16 February 1895 in Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire, Wales.

Family: He was the grandson of Margaret Jones, an innkeeper and probably the son of Joseph Jones, a car proprietor and his wife Mary Ann. He married Annie Lewis in 1924 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Richard L and Ann L.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his grandmother at the Sun Inn, Waterfall Street, Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire. By 1911 he and his grandmother`s address was Liverpool House, Llanrhaeadr. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he was living at 147 Alkington Road, Whitchurch. In 1939 he and his family were living at 50 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1958.

Employment: In 1915 he was a G.P.O. telegraphist and in 1939 a post office clerk.

Died: 21 September 1958 in Whitchurch, aged 63.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 151919

Date of Enlistment: 9 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 23 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Sydney was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

James Henry Foster

Personal Details

Born: 8 August 1897 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Alfred Foster, a farm labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Ellen. He married Dorothy M Preece in 1925 in Whitchurch and together they had five children – Corbet J, Frederick J, Dorothea E, Henry O and Geoffrey E.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at Broughall Lodge, Broughall, Whitchurch and in 1911 the family resided at Broughall House Lodge, Broughall. The births of all five children were registered in Atcham, Shropshire, so it is likely he was living there between 1925 and 1933. In 1939 he was living at 25 St. John’s Street, Whitchurch; his children were living in Atcham with their maternal grandparents.

Employment: In 1914 he was a farm labourer working at Chinnel Farm, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was a steel erector.

Died: In 1973 in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 200945 (previously 2770)

Date of Enlistment: 4 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 19 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was wounded and taken prisoner of war at Cambrai by the Germans on 30 December 1917 and interned in the Schulter Munster POW camp. He was released on 8 December 1918. He was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Samuel Piggott

Personal Details

Born: 12 May 1881 in Tushingham, Cheshire.

Family: He was the second of four children born to George Piggott, a railway platelayer and his wife Sarah. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at Ash Lane, Ash, Shropshire. By 1901 the family had moved to 34 Chester Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The 1911 Census recorded his address as 21 Stanley Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, but at the time of his enlistment in 1915 his home was stated as 29 Merseyton Road, Ellesmere Port. This continued to be his address until at least 1939.

Employment: In 1891 he was a general labourer. By 1911 and now living in Ellesmere Port he was a dock labourer, however his occupation had changed again in 1915 when he was recorded as being a railway porter. On the 1939 Register he was described as a general labourer.

Died: In 1980 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Shropshire, aged 81, and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 14 May 1980.

John Abel Purcell

Personal Details

Born: 1 July 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second child born to George Purcell, a railway platelayer and his wife Mary Ellen, nee Williams. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at Foxes Lane, Broughall, Whitchurch. On the 1911 Census he and his mother were staying with his grandfather, George Williams, at Iscoyd Green, Iscoyd, Flintshire. On his enlistment in 1915 he gave his address as Foxes Lane, Broughall. This was still his address in 1939. At the time of his death in 1980 his home was 17 Talbot Street, Whitchurch.

Education: He attended Ash School, Shropshire between 23 January 1911 and 2 June 1912

Employment: In 1915 he was an agricultural labourer and in 1939 a builder`s labourer.

Died: In 1980 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Shropshire, aged 81, and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 14 May 1980.

Military Details

Regiment: Training Reserve Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: TR3/87 (previously 19107)

Date of Enlistment: 30 October 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 November 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 114106) on 29 January 1917

Silver War Badge

Walter Price

Personal Details

Born: 18 May 1897 in Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of at least four children born to Edward Price, a coachman and his wife Mary Jane, nee Humphries. He married Mary E Cutler in 1929 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Mary and George E.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living at Perthy, Frankton, Shropshire. By 1911 the family had moved to Wicksted Cottage, Wicksted Hall, Wirswall, Whitchurch. An address of 12 Catteralls Lane, Whitchurch was given for him on his Attestation in 1915. In 1939 and now married, he was living at 38 Wayland Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1971.

Education: He was admitted to Marbury School, Cheshire on 26 August 1907.

Employment: In 1915 he was a railway porter. By 1939 he was a shunter working for the LM&S Railway Company.

Died: In 1971 in Whitchurch Cottage Hospital and buried at Whitchurch Cemetery on 2 July 1971, aged 74.

Military Details

Regiment: Grenadier Guards

Rank: Private

Service Number: 29587

Date of Enlistment: 19 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 17 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Walter was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Passant

Personal Details

Born: 26 December 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 26 January 1887 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. His name was registered on birth as John Passant Jones.

Family: He was the eldest child born to John Passant, a shoemaker and his wife Annie (nee Jones). He married Florence Bateman on 21 December 1908 at St Michael`s Parish Church, Marbury, Cheshire. Together they had seven children, Vera, John, Lillian, Richard, Florence, Harold and Kenneth. Sadly John died in 1911, aged three months.

Residence: At the time of his baptism and in 1891 his family were living in Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 and now married with a child, his home was 9 Station Road, Whitchurch. This was still his address when he enlisted in the Army in 1915. In 1922 he was living at 4 Wood Street, Hyde, Cheshire and by 1939 he and his family had moved to 42 Woodfield Avenue, Hyde. At the time of his death in 1966 his home was 19 Springwood Close, Romiley, Cheshire.

Employment: He was a postman.

Died: In 1966 in the North East Registration District of Cheshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Monmouthshire Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 227764 (previously 15031 and 4409)

Date of Enlistment: 4 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 2 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Thomas William Percy Jenks

Personal Details

Born: 26 February 1892 in Grinshill, near Wem, Shropshire and baptised 3 April 1892 in Grinshill Parish Church. He was known as Percy.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Edwin Jenks, a stone sawyer and his wife Emma. He married Alice Savage in 1915 in Bucklow, Cheshire. The couple had a daughter, Dorothy A, born in 1921 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1892, he and his family were living in Grinshill. By 1901 they had moved to Albert Place, Mill Fields, Wellington, Shropshire. In 1911 the address given for him and his family on the census was 19 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. When he enlisted in 1915 his address was 4 Pepper Street, Whitchurch. In 1919 and now married, he and his wife were living at 57 Egerton Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1924.

Employment: In 1911 his occupation was a butcher`s apprentice. He gave this as his job on his enlistment in 1915, however in 1915 he also seemed to have worked for several months as a labourer for the London and North Western Railway Company.

Died: 2 December 1924 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 105506 (previously 1983)

Date of Enlistment: 29 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 16 February 1919 (previously 19 February 1915)

Reason for Discharge: Not known (previously discharged in 1915 as permanently unfit)

Other Information: His brother, Edwin Charles Jenks, also served in WW1. Percy was discharged as medically unfit in 1915 but re-enlisted in a different regiment.

Medals and Awards

Percy was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Ben Holbrook

Personal Details

Born: In 1873 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Benjamin Holbrook, a bricklayer and his wife Ann. The 1911 Census records Ben and Elizabeth Clarke having six children, Doris, Robert, Annie, Edward, James and Alfred. However Doris and Robert are probably from Elizabeth`s marriage to Robert Clarke (who died in 1901). Another child, Benjamin was born to the couple in 1914, according to military records.

Residence: On the 1881 and 1891 Census, he was living at 20 Newtown Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 his address was 96 Moor Street, Blackburn, Lancashire. On his military documents an address of 16 Smithies Street, Blackburn was given for him.

Employment: In 1891, 1911 and 1914 he was a labourer.

Died: 1926 in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 474391 (previously 7712)

Date of Enlistment: 12 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 9 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Prior to WW1 he had served in the King`s Shropshire Light Infantry (3585) from 31 December 1891 to 30 December 1903 (including in the Boer War). After WW1 he re-enlisted and served from 2 August 1919 to 23 January 1920 in the Norfolk Regiment (73375). His brother James also served in WW 1.

Medals and Awards

Ben was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Herbert William Harper

Personal Details

Born:In 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of six children born to George Harper, a blacksmith and his wife Ann. He married Constance M. Pace in 1919 in Whitchurch. No children can be found for the couple.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living at 24 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 they had moved to 1 Braeside, Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. This was the address given for him on his military documents.

Employment: He was a carpenter and joiner.

Died: In 1925 in Chester, Cheshire, aged 30.

Military Details

Regiment: Gold Coast Regiment (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Acting Sergeant

Service Number: 200947 (previously 2773)

Date of Enlistment: 3 November 1914

Date of Discharge: 8 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Disembodied, surplus to military requirements having suffered an impairment since entry to service

Other Information: Two of Herbert`s brothers, George and Frederick, also served in World War 1. Frederick was killed in action in France on 14 July 1916.

Medals and Awards

Herbert was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 474099) issued 22 January 1920.

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Trevor Hancock

Personal Details

Born: 23 May 1894 in Burleydam, Cheshire and baptised with his twin sister on 1 July 1894 at St Michael`s Parish Church, Burleydam.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Thomas Allen Hancock, a farm labourer and his wife Sarah. He married Sarah Jane Griffiths in 1927 in Chester, Cheshire. They had one child, Alan W.

Residence: From the time of his baptism in 1894 until at least 1901 his family were living at 2 Park Cottages, Dodds Green, Cheshire. By 1911 he was a boarder at Thornley Longridge, Chipping, Preston, Lancashire. He gave an address of Combermere Cottage, Burleydam on his enlistment in 1915, this was still his address in 1919. During this time he listed another address: 26 Victoria Road, Gorton, Manchester. By 1939 and married his home was Stone Lodge, Combermere, Burleydam, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a groom and in 1915 a labourer. By 1939 his occupation was a gardener.

Died:In 1977 in North Shropshire, aged 82.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Irish Regiment (previously Suffolk Regiment, Cheshire Regiment and King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 3798 (previously 49457, 65433 and 23154)

Date of Enlistment: 7 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 29 September 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Trevor was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Henry Foster

Personal Details

Born: 8 September 1896 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 16 August 1897 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of four children born to Thomas Foster, an agricultural labourer and his wife Martha. He married Frances Martha Dodd in 1917 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had five children, John Thomas, Frances Mary, Elsie M, Stanley H and Harry. Sadly Harry died before reaching his first birthday.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1897 his family were living at Hollyhurst, near Whitchurch. By 1901 their address was Black Park, Whitchurch. In 1911 the family had moved to 18 Grindley Brook, Whitchurch. On his Attestation in 1915 he gave his address as Alkington Grange, Alkington, Whitchurch. He also gave the address of his next of kin as 10 St. John`s Street, Whitchurch. This was his home at the time of his death in April 1939.

Employment: In 1915 was an agricultural labourer.

Died: In 1939 in Whitchurch and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 29 April 1939, aged 42.

William Alexander Forster

Personal Details

Born: William Alexander Foster on 9 July 1878 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 7 May 1879 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. (The family name was changed from Foster to Forster between 1881 and 1891)

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Alexander Marshall Foster, a blacksmith, and his wife Sarah (nee Stockton). He married Ruth Scott in 1907 in Whitchurch and was father to Joseph and Alick.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family were living in Waymills, Whitchurch; by 1881 they had moved to 92 New Road, West Derby, Lancashire. In 1891 he was living with his grandparents at Moss Road, Whitchurch and in 1901 was residing with his cousin in Edgeley Road, Edgeley, Whitchurch. In 1911 he lived at 34 Bargates, Whitchurch and by 1939 had moved to 60 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch. He continued to live here for the rest of his life.

Employment: In 1901 he was a postman and in 1911 he was employed as a boot repairer. His discharge papers detail his occupation as labourer. In 1939 he was working as an engineer’s storeman.

Died: 30 March 1957 in Whitchurch, aged 78 and was buried on 3 April the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

William Crabtree

Personal Details

Born: In 1876 in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire and was baptised on 22 December the same year in the Church of St. James and St. John, Hebden Bridge.

Family: He was the second of seven children born to Richard Crabtree, a butcher and his wife Hannah, nee Wadsworth. He married Eliza Sharpes on 25 April 1900 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had six children, William E W, Violet I, Muriel G E, George R A, Myra O E and Alfred.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living at 223 Bury New Road, Cheetham, Prestwich, Lancashire. In 1901 and now married he and his wife were at 227 Onslow Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. By 1911 they had moved to 57 Brudenell Road, Leeds, Yorkshire. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 the family were still in Leeds but at 5 Reginald Street, Chapeltown. When he was discharged from the Army in 1918 he gave his address as 29 Ael y Bryn, Garden Village, Wrexham, Denbighshire. At the time of his death in 1936 his home was 12 Hathershaw Lane, Oldham, Lancashire.

Employment: He was a butcher.

Died: 10 August 1936 at the Rous Memorial Hospital, Newmarket, Suffolk, aged 61.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers

Rank: Private

Service Number: G/28098

Date of Enlistment: 11 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 25 January 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 310825) issued 30 January 1918.

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Andrew Butterworth

Personal Details

Born: In 1879 in Oldham, Lancashire.

Family: He was the second of three children born to Edwin Butterworth, a carter, and his wife Louisa Jane (nee Purcell). Andrew married Annie Elizabeth Gill on 17 December 1899 in Nantwich, Cheshire and together they had three children – Annie, Harry and Alice M.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his family at 3 Carlon Street, Royton, Oldham; by 1891 his mother (now a widow) and sisters were living at Bark Hill Yard, Bark Hill, Whitchurch, Shropshire whilst Andrew lived with his paternal grandfather in Oatwood Road, Stockport Etchells, Stockport, Cheshire. In 1901 his mother was living with her new husband and Andrew’s sisters at 13 Bark Hill, Whitchurch whilst Andrew, now married, was living with his wife and daughter at 16 Woodland Terrace, Monks Coppenhall, Crewe, Cheshire. The 1911 Census shows Andrew and his wife visiting 3 Pepper Street, Whitchurch. His military records show the 13 Bark Hill, Whitchurch address.

Employment: In 1901 he was a shunter in a railway works; in 1911 he was a domestic groom. His military records show him as a groom.

Died: In 1927 in Whitchurch, aged 48, and was buried on 13 August the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Harry Allen

Personal Details

Born: 25 April 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of three children born to Samuel and Alice (nee Ebrey) Allen. No marriage can be traced for Harry.

Residence: In 1901 and 1911 he lived with his family at the White Lion Pub, Ash Magna, Whitchurch, Shropshire where his mother was the landlady. In 1939 he lived at The Bungalow, Ash Lane, Ash, Whitchurch.

Employment: When he enlisted in 1916 he was a general labourer; in 1939 he was a cheese maker for United Dairy.

Died: In 1964 in Whitchurch, aged 66.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Defence Corps (previously East Lancashire Regiment – Accrington Pals)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 86260 (previously 39589)

Date of Enlistment: 21 September 1916

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Harry spent 88 days in the military hospital at York suffering with chest pains. On release in 1918 he was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps.

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Philip Batho

Personal Details

Born: In 1888 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 23 September 1888 in Tilstock Parish Church, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of six children born to Joseph Batho, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Caroline. He married Margaret Frances Beaman in 1912 in Whitchurch and together they had seven children – William, George, Gertrude, Violet, Constance, Nancy, and Philip.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1911 he was living with his family in Tilstock Village, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a carter and farm labourer

Died: In 1924 in Whitchurch, aged 36.

Peter William Ryder

Personal Details

Born: In 1878 in Chorlton, Lancashire and baptised 30 June 1878 at St.George`s Parish Church, Hulme, Manchester.

Family: He was the elder of two children born to Harry Ryder, a painter and decorator and his wife Ellen, nee Walters. He married Ada Jessie Gardner, nee Barnett, a widow, on 8 December 1917 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Evelyn May, born in 1919 in Whitchurch. Ada had four children, Elsie, Alfred, Edward and Dorothy from her marriage to Frederick George Gardner.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living at 10 Rose Street, Salford, Lancashire. Ten years later they had moved to Crosscliffe Street, Moss Side, Manchester. By 1901 the family were living at 46 Raglan Street, Chorlton. In 1911 his address was 195 Withington Road, Whalley Range, Manchester. At the time of his Attestation in 1917 he gave his address as 59A Shaw Heath, Stockport, Cheshire. When he was demobilised in 1919 he was living at 4 Raven’s Yard, Watergate Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire.However by the time he was discharged from the Army Reserve in 1920 his home was 138 Frankwell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living in the Tame Street Institution, Tame Street, Manchester.

Employment: He was a painter and decorator.

Died: In 1944 in Manchester, Lancashire, aged 64.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 331277

Date of Enlistment: 20 July 1917

Date of Discharge: 16 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Peter enlisted again in the Labour Corps (700965) and served between 2 June 1919 and 11 February 1920, including exhumation duties on the Western Front. The military records indicate Peter was born in Whitchurch; this cannot be substantiated from the civil records.

Medals and Awards

None awarded; did not serve overseas

Edwin Davies Rogers

Personal Details

Born: 28 March 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 2 June 1886 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fifth of nine children born to Richard Rogers, an engineer and his wife Frances. He married Florence Challenor on 17 April 1911 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. The couple had one son, Percy Dean, born in 1912.

Residence: In 1891 he and his family were living at Old Farm, Fenns Bank, Whitchurch. By 1901 they had moved to the Waterworks at Fenns Bank. On his enlistment in 1916 he gave his address as 63 Brideoak Street, Cheetham, Manchester, Lancashire; however by 1921 he and his family had moved to 29 Windsor Road, Southport, Lancashire. In 1939 he was living at 13 Oakfield Avenue, Chester. At the time of his death in 1959 his home was 37 Portland Street, Southport, Lancashire.

Employment: In 1901 he was an assistant to the engine driver at the water works. In 1916 he was a motor coach fitter. By 1939 his occupation was a hardware chandler.

Died: 8 October 1959 at the Promenade Hospital, Southport, Lancashire, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 350830

Date of Enlistment: 9 May 1916

Date of Discharge: 18 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was posted to The King`s Liverpool Regiment on 4 January 1917 and remained there until 13 August 1917 when he was transferred to the Labour Corps. However there is no mention of the King`s Liverpool Regiment on his medal roll index card.

His brother Thomas William also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Edwin was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Frederick William Evanson

Personal Details

Born: 18 November 1877 in Manchester, Lancashire and baptised on 21 January 1878 in the Parish Church of St. Mary, St. Denys and St. George, Manchester.

Family: He was the third of nine children born to William Evanson, a house painter, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Harriet Mary Stockton on the 20 April 1902 at St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire and was father to Benjamin Richard, William Henry, Emily, Nancy, Alyce Katherine, Tom, Adelaide, Ben, Ernest J and Violet.

Residence: In 1881 the Evanson family was living 7 Andrews Buildings, Harpurhey, Prestwich, Lancashire. By 1891 the family had moved to Chemistry Road, Whitchurch and in 1901 they resided at 33 High Street, Whitchurch. By 1911 Frederick had moved to 9 Castle Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living at 53 Naylor Street, Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: Frederick followed in his father’s footsteps and became a house painter, a trade he continued throughout his life.

Died: In 1961 in Crewe, aged 83.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously East Lancashire Regiment and Devonshire Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 172034 (previously 18976 and 38825)

Date of Enlistment: 16 February 1915

Date of Discharge: 19 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In 1916, due to health problems he was discharged from front line duties and transferred home for garrison duties.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Rowland Hill

Personal Details

Born: 7 October 1879 in Tattenhall, Cheshire.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Thomas Hill, a farmer, and his wife Mary. He married Sarah Jane Adams on 25 January 1904 in Tushingham Parish Church and was father to John, Lily and George.

Residence: In 1881 the family was living at Agden House, Agden, Cheshire and by 1901 they had moved to Hall Farm, Agden. By 1911 he had married and was living at Bradley Common, Bradley, Cheshire. At the time of his death he was living at Holly House, Bradley.

Employment: In 1901 he was employed on the family farm but by 1915 he had moved on and was working for Cheshire County Council as a road man. He continued in this role until at least 1939.

Died: 19 November 1962 at Beechcroft, Hampton, near Malpas, Cheshire, aged 84.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Pioneer

Service Number: WR/40202 (previously 225883)

Date of Enlistment: 7 December 1915 (transferred from Reserve 15 January 1917)

Date of Discharge: 1 August 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: In November 1917 he received gunshot wounds to his left thigh and right leg. He was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

Rowland was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 381553)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Frederick Henry Slater

Personal Details

Born: In 1867 in Hartfield, Sussex.

Family: He was the youngest of at least five children born to John Slater, an agricultural labourer and his wife Jane. Frederick did not marry.

Residence: In 1871 he and his family were living at Kent Waters, Cowden, Sevenoaks, Kent. By 1881 they had moved to Cullinghurst Cottage, Hartfield, Sussex. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1885 and in 1891 he was living in the barracks at Aldershot, Hampshire. In 1901 his address was Diglake, Tilstock, Shropshire. In 1911 he was living with his brother at The Bungalow, Higher Heath, Whitchurch, Shropshire. This was the address given for him on his enlistment in 1915. He was still living in Higher Heath at the time of his death in 1922.

Employment: In 1901 he was an electrical engineer but by 1911 he was a nurseryman. This continued to be his occupation until his death.

Died: 25 May 1922 in the Wem District of Shropshire, aged 56.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 86871

Date of Enlistment: 24 March 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 July 1917

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: Frederick had joined the Royal Engineers on 15 January 1885 and three years later he was sent to Egypt. Whilst there he was awarded the Khedive Star and the Egypt medal. He later became a theoretical instructor at the Chatham School of Army Signals. He served for 12 years before being discharged.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 209580)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Edmund Mostyn Houghton

Personal Details

Born: 24 September 1896 in Ince, Cheshire and baptised 28 October 1896 in Ince Parish Church.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Edwin Houghton, a stud groom, and his wife Emily. No marriage can be traced for Edmund.

Residence: In 1901 the family lived at Hill Farm, Ince and in 1911 the family had moved to 30 Brook Lane, Chester, Cheshire. His military papers show his address as Hinton Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 Edmund was living at Whitegates Farm, Cross Hill, Tarvin, Cheshire. At the time of his death he was residing at The Bungalow, Edge, near Malpas, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 and 1939 he was a clerk with London and North Western Railway Co.

Died: 8 July 1981 in Cheshire, aged 84 and was cremated in Cheshire on 14 July the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: WR/261771 (previously 210388)

Date of Enlistment: 29 November 1916

Date of Discharge: 20 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other information: His brother Thomas Edwin also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Edmund was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Arthur Gordon Hood

Personal Details

Born: 15 June 1896 in Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of three sons born to John Hood, a commission agent, and his wife Mary Jane. He married Drusilla Viola Johnson on 6 April 1915 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire and was father to Reginald and Mary.

Residence: In 1901 and 1911 the family was living at 27 Brownlow Street, Ellesmere. In 1915 Arthur was living at Mountain View, Barnfield Road, Blaenavon, Pontypool, South Wales and in 1919 his address was Harcourt House, Brownlow Road, Ellesmere. In 1939 he was living at 3 Black Park Road, Whitchurch and continued to do so until his death.

Employment: In 1911 and 1939 he was a railway clerk. During the war he was a proficient telegraph operator.

Died: 17 April 1967 at the Cottage Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 71.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Private

Service Number: 321825

Date of Enlistment: 6 June 1916

Date of Discharge: 13 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Although he signed up in 1916 he was not called up for service until 1917

Medals and Awards

Arthur was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Walter John Evans

Personal Details

Born: 27 November 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 17 December 1886 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth child of seven born to Stephen Charles Evans, a rural postman, and his wife Sarah Harriet. He married Elizabeth Davis on 11 April 1916 and became father to Florence Mary the daughter of Elizabeth from her previous marriage.

Residence: In 1891 the Evans family was living in St Johns Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1901 the family had moved to 14 Brownlow Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 Walter was in India with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and in 1912 had been transferred to the Reserve and was living at 30 Egerton Road, Whitchurch. In 1919 he was living at 243 West Street, Crewe and was still residing here in 1939.

Employment: In 1901 he was an ironmonger’s errand boy. By 1905 he was working as a farm labourer but then enlisted in the Army. After leaving the army in 1912 he worked for London and North Western Railway Co. In 1939 he was working as a labourer for Crewe Town Council.

Died: Not known

Military Details

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

Rank: Private

Service Number: 366575 (previously 7896)

Date of Enlistment: 23 January 1905

Date of Discharge: 22 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In December 1910 he was the subject of a Regimental Court Martial for being drunk whilst being on guard and for leaving his post without orders. He was found guilty and was put under detention for 28 days and fined 10 shillings. In 1912 he was transferred to the Reserve, but recalled at the start of the war in 1914. On 22 April 1918 he received a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Medals and Awards

Walter was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star with clasp and roses, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

George Beckett

Personal Details

Born: 30 August 1895 in Whixall, Shropshire.

Family: He was the only child born to Ambrose Beckett, a labourer and his wife Mary, nee Harris. He married Winifred Cliff in 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Eric born in 1920 and John A. born in 1932.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at Whixall Moss, Whixall, Shropshire. By 1911 they had moved to Canal Side, Grindley Brook, Whitchurch. An electoral record for Autumn 1925 has an address of Ivy Cottage, Tushingham, near Whitchurch for him and his wife. In 1939 he was living at Agden, near Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1967 his home was Roseleigh, Newhall, near Nantwich, Cheshire.

Education: He attended Whixall Primary School between 2 May 1901 and 13 March 1908.

Employment: In 1911 he was a telegram messenger, but on his enlistment in 1913 his occupation was described as a motor fitter. By 1939 he was a postman.

Died: 31 October 1967 at Whitchurch Cottage Hospital and buried at Whitchurch Cemetery on 4 November 1967, aged 72.

John Woodward

Personal Details

Born: 27 February 1879 in Duddon, Cheshire.

Family: He was the youngest of five children born to James Woodward, a joiner and his wife Ann. He married Elizabeth Richardson Miller on 12 December 1905 at Grosvenor Bank Baptist Church, Chester, Cheshire. The couple had five children, Ethel, Harry, Eva, John H and Alec. Sadly John died in 1915 and Eva in 1919.

Residence: From the time of his birth until at least 1901 he and his family were living in Duddon, near Tarvin, Cheshire. In 1911 and now married, his family were living at 56 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. An address of 11 Talbot Street, Whitchurch was given on his Attestation Documents. By 1939 he was living at 6 Yew Tree Bank, Tarvin, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 his occupation was a cartage contractor, as it was in 1915. In 1939 he was a roller driver working for Cheshire County Council.

Died: Not known

Archibald John Cyril Taylor

Personal Details

Born: 26 August 1897 in Stroud, Gloucestershire and baptised 10 October 1897 in Whiteshill, Gloucestershire.

Family: He was the eldest of four children born to Archibald John Taylor, a bootmaker and later a cycle and motor dealer and his wife Annie Elizabeth. He married Annie Hitchen in 1923 in Northwich, Cheshire.The couple had one child, Joyce F born in 1924.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1897 his family were living in Whiteshill, Gloucestershire. On the 1901 Census he, his mother and brother were living with his grandparents in North Street, Uppingham, Rutland, but his father was at 1 St John`s Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 the family were together at 21 St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch. This was the address given for him on his military documents. By 1939 and married, he was living at the Hollies Hotel, Chester Road, Whitchurch, where his wife was described as the hotel keeper. In 1947 an address of the Victoria Hotel, Whitchurch was given for him and his wife on a passenger list of a ship sailing to Wellington, New Zealand. At the time of his death he was living at 1/7 The Parade, St. Helier’s Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.

Employment: On his Attestation in 1915 he was a motor driver. By 1939 he was a cycle agent.

Died: In 1973 in Auckland, aged 76, and was cremated at Purewa cemetery, Auckland on 13 December 1973.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry for the first period of service and Royal Army Service Corps (previously Machine Gun Corps and King`s Shropshire Light Infantry) for the second

Rank: Private

Service Number: 2679 for the first period of service and 397691 (previously 31198 and 19558) for the second

Date of Enlistment: 22 October 1914 and then re enlists 12 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 April 1915 for the first period of service and 19 September 1918 for the second

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier for the first period of service and no longer physically fit for war service for the second

Medals and Awards

Not known

Ernest Sayce Pugh

Personal Details

Born: In 1888 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of ten children born to Jabez Pugh, a joiner and his wife Ann. He married Frances Allen on 1 October 1916 in Whitchurch Register Office, Whitchurch, Shropshire. No children can be found for the couple.

Residence: In 1891 and until at least 1901 he and his family were living at 11 Bynner Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. By 1911 he was a boarder at 26 Park Road, Whitchurch. On his Attestation in 1916 he and his wife were living at 19 St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1919 his home was 13 St. John`s Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was a hairdresser.

Died: 11 February 1919 in Whitchurch and buried at Whitchurch Cemetery on 14 February 1919, aged 30.

William Hamer

Personal Details

Born: In 1868 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 21 May 1868 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fifth of seven children born to Edward Hamer, a tailor, and his wife Emma. No marriage can be traced for William.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, his family lived at ‘Blue Gates’, High Street, Whitchurch. By 1881 they had moved to Castle Hill, Whitchurch. In 1901 he was a boarder at 18 Newtown Street, Whitchurch and in 1918 was living at 14 Newtown Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was a general labourer and in 1918 was employed by Sharps, the Butchers, of Whitchurch.

Died: In 1929 at Deermoss House, Whitchurch, aged 59, and was buried on 16 April the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Richard Rowland Powell

Personal Details

Born: 7 February 1880 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 4 April 1880 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of at least five children born to Benjamin Blyth Powell, a draper and his wife Martha, nee Jones. He married Mary Ellen Cheshire on 24 February 1903 in Whitchurch. The couple had four children, Richard Roland, Frank, William Cyril and Dorris Mary.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living in Talbot Street, however in 1891 their address was Sandford Bridge, Newall, Cheshire. In 1911 and now married he was living at 11 Farm Lane, Fulham; this was the address stated on his Attestation in 1913. By 1939 the family were living at 21 Percy Street, Ilford, Essex. This continued to be his home until his death in 1953.

Employment: In 1911 he was a coachman and in 1913 a motor driver. In 1939 his occupation was a bus driver.

Died: 5 November 1953 at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: CMT/1407

Date of Enlistment: 22 April 1913

Date of Discharge: 26 April 1916

Reason for Discharge: Termination of Engagement

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Frederick Parkinson Norton

Personal Details

Born: 1 January 1884 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of eight children born to James Norton, a blacking manufacturer and his wife Elizabeth. He married Beatrice Hare on 23 March 1916 at the Unitarian Church, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at Tilstock Lane, Tilstock, Shropshire. By 1901 his address was 58 High Street, Whitchurch, the home of his sister Alice. In 1911 he was boarding at North Street, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he stated his address was The Shrubbery, New Street, Highgate, Whitchurch. This was the home of another sister, Elizabeth, who was married to Charles Prendergast. However at the time of his demobilisation in 1919 his address had changed again to 15 Kempson Road, Fulham SW6. From at least 1934 until 1939 he and his wife were living at 5 Victoria Road, Oswestry, Shropshire. At the time of his death in 1967 his home was 16 Thorn Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was a clerk working for the railway, but by 1911 he stated that his occupation was a slipper manufacturer. This was also his occupation at the time of his marriage in 1916. In 1939 he was a clerk working for the Inland Revenue.

Died: 2 June 1967 in Mansfield, aged 83.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M2/054770

Date of Enlistment: 23 March 1915

Date of Discharge: 1 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Samuel Brindley

Personal Details

Born: 6 August 1890 in Bilston, Staffordshire.

Family: He was the youngest of three children born to Martha Brindley, a charwoman. He married Annie Holloway in 1937 in Bilston. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: In 1891 and in 1901 he, his widowed mother and siblings were living at 19 Stone Street, Bilston. By 1911 he was a boarder at Poplar Cottages, 24 Angel Street, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. On his Attestation in 1915 he gave his address as 1 New Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire, but on his discharge from the Army in 1919 his address was 1 Parkfields Colliery, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. In 1939 he and his wife were living at Oak and Ivy Inn, Oxford Street, Bilston.

Employment: In 1911 he was a bricklayer`s labourer. By 1939 he was the manager of a public house.

Died: In 1964 in Bilston, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Driver

Service Number: M/398707 (previously 1904)

Date of Enlistment: 15 October 1915

Date of Discharge: 26 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Disembodied

Medals and Awards

Samuel was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number B349055) on 24 December 1919.

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Thomas Plant

Ernest Woodhall

Personal Details

Born: 28 February 1879 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 13 March the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the sixth of seven children born to Charles Woodhall, a carpenter and joiner and his wife Eliza. He married Emily Crewe in 1908 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple adopted two children, Colin (Bowen) born in 1912 and John (Mellor) born in 1918.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1879 and in 1881 he and his family were living at Havannah Buildings, Whitchurch. By 1891 the family had moved to 24 Claypit Street, Whitchurch and in 1901 they were living at 14 Pepper Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 and now married, he was living at 3 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1952. However, an address of 10 Park Terrace, Whittington Road, Oswestry, Shropshire was given for him on his pension index card in 1918.

Employment: In 1901 and 1911 his occupation was a bricklayer`s labourer and in 1939 a builder`s labourer.

Died: In 1952 in Whitchurch and buried on 20 December 1952 in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 200330 (previously 1764)

Date of Enlistment: 1 March 1913

Date of Discharge: 17 September 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: His brother, Thomas Woodhall, also fought in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Ernest was awarded the Campaign medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal), the Silver War Badge (number B2394) issued 10 September 1918 and the Territorial Force War Medal

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Territorial Force War Medal

Thomas Harry Spencer

Personal Details

Born: 1 November 1878 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 31 January 1879 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. He was also known as Thomas Harry Croxon.

Family: He was the eldest of eleven children born to Samuel Spencer (also known as Croxon), a gas stoker and his wife Betsy. He married Louisa Rogers on 30 November 1909 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. The couple had two children, Elsie May, born in 1912 and Thomas Harry, born in 1919. Sadly Louisa died in 1928 and Thomas married Fanny Humphreys in 1931 in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living at 10 Yardington, Whitchurch but by 1891 they had moved to 37 Newtown, Whitchurch. This was the address he gave in 1901 when he enlisted in the Shropshire Light Infantry. At the time of his daughter`s baptism in 1912 the family were living at 18 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. On his pension index card his address was 15 Nant-y-Caws, Morda, Oswestry, Shropshire. In 1939 his home was 3 Gronwen, Oswestry.

Employment: In 1891 he was a bricklayer`s labourer, but by the time of his marriage in 1909 he was a gas stoker. On the 1939 Register his occupation was given as a contractor`s labourer.

Died: In 1950 in Oswestry, Shropshire, aged 71.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 6693

Date of Enlistment: 16 July 1901, transferred to the Army Reserve in 1904 and was re- engaged on 5 August 1914.

Date of Discharge: 22 March 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service.

Other Information: His brother Frederick (Croxon) also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 504660) on 15 October 1920

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Thomas Martin Loftus

Personal Details

Born: In 1886 in Crossmolina, County Mayo, Ireland. (the records differ as to his year of birth which could have been as early as 1874)

Family: He was the son of Michael and Ellen Loftus. He married Emily Clewley on 8 March 1909 at St. George`s Roman Catholic Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had ten children – Alice, Mary Ellen, Ann Catherine, Norah, Mary Jane, Josephine, Margaret, John T, William P and Bernard.

Residence: In 1911 he and his family were living at 5 Castle Hill, Whitchurch, Shropshire. On his Attestation document an address of 8 Dodington, Whitchurch was given for him. By 1939 he was living at 30 George Street, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1951.

Employment: He was a farm labourer.

Died: In 1951 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 30 November 1951, aged 77.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 18911

Date of Enlistment: 14 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 20 September 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Silver War Badge number 505799 on 15 October 1920

Silver War Badge

Samuel Colton Latham

Personal Details

Born: 6 November 1892 in Colton, Staffordshire and baptised at the Parish Church of Mary the Virgin, Colton, Staffordshire on 12 March 1893.

Family: He was the elder of two sons born to Samuel Colton Latham, a farmer and his wife Amelia, nee Baddeley. He married Bertha Annie Lawton on 5 December 1922 at Buxton Parish Church, Buxton, Derbyshire. They had one son Geoffrey S born in 1924 (possibly adopted).

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living in Colton, Staffordshire. By 1901 they had moved to Gorsey Bank Farm, Audlem Road, Woore, Shropshire. In 1903 an address of Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him on the Whitchurch Grammar School Admission Register. However by 1911 he was back living at Gorsey Bank Farm. At the time of his marriage in 1922 his address was East View, Market Drayton, Shropshire. In 1924 his family were living at 29 Charnwood Street, Derby but by 1939 they had moved to 2 Holt Avenue, Shardlow, Derbyshire. This continued to be his home until his death in 1968.

Education: He was admitted to Whitchurch Grammar School on 30 April 1903.

Employment: From 1911 until at least 1924 he was a farmer. In 1939 he was working in a plastics factory.

Died: 2 September 1968 at Derwent Hospital, Derby and buried 6 September the same year at Alvaston Parish Church, Alvaston, Derbyshire, aged 76.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 16434

Date of Enlistment: 2 June 1915

Date of Discharge: 10 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Samuel was awarded the Campaign medals (1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Edwin Charles Jenks

Personal Details

Born: 12 September 1887 in London, Middlesex.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Edwin Jenks, a stone sawyer and his wife Emma. He married Dora Beatrice Reed in 1922 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had one child, Geoffrey Frederick Claydon, born in 1923 in Whitchurch.

Residence: In 1891 he and his family were living in Sansaw Heath, Grinshill, Shropshire. By 1901 they had moved to Albert Place, Mill Fields, Wellington, Shropshire. At the time of the 1911 Census he was serving in India with the King`s Shropshire Light Infantry. His family`s address at this time was 19 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 he and his wife were living at 22 Wellesley Road. Brentwood, Essex.

Employment: He was a postman for 34 years.

Died: 2 June 1973 in Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 8207

Date of Enlistment: Before 10 September 1914

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother, Percy Jenks, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Edwin was awarded the Military Medal and Campaign medals (1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

Thomas Henry Hales

Personal Details

Born: 22 January 1885 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. He was also known as Harry Hales.

Family: He was the second of four children born to Walter Hales, a house painter and his wife Sarah Emily. He married Annie Sumner in 1915 in Whitchurch. No children can be found for the couple.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his mother and siblings at Grindley Brook, Whitchurch. By 1901 the family had moved to 2 Groom’s Yard, Whitchurch and in 1911 their address was 11 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 he and his wife were living at 11 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1964.

Employment: He was a labourer in 1911 and 1939.

Died: In 1964 in Whitchurch and was buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 3 March 1964, aged 79.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 23765

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

John was awarded Campaign medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

John Francis

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.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded Campaign medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Silver War Badge number 381244 on 25 July 1918

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Percy Gay Edington

Personal Details

Born: 28 December 1879 in Basford, Nottinghamshire and baptised 7 March 1890 at St John the Evangelist Church, Carrington, Nottinghamshire.

Family: He was the second of three children born to Thomas Milne Edington, a gardener and his wife Annie. He married Ethel Maud Lucas in 1905 in Stockport, Cheshire. The couple had seven children, Annie, Milne, Helen, Percy, Brownlie, Minna and Dorothy. Sadly Percy died in 1912.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living in Scout Lane, Basford, Nottinghamshire. Ten years later they were living at Garden House, Aldringham, Suffolk. In 1901 his address was The Bothy, Tortworth, Thornbury, Gloucestershire. By 1909 and now married he was living at Nottingham`s Cottage, Greenfields, Whitchurch, Shropshire. This continued to be his address until at least 1919. In 1939 his home was 45 High Street, Whitchurch, continuing to live here until his death in 1955.

Employment: He was a gardener and later a florist. However he gave an occupation of motor driver on his Attestation in 1916.

Died: 21 January 1955 in the Cottage Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 75.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M/298813

Date of Enlistment: 24 June 1916

Date of Discharge: 1 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Percy was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Reginald Lewis Dyer

Personal Details

Born: 14 October 1893 in Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire and baptised 21 January 1894 at Charlton Kings Parish Church.

Family: He was the younger of two sons born to John Henry Dyer, a schoolteacher and his wife Sarah. He married Sarah E Minshall in 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Eileen and Naomi.

Residence: In 1901, he and his brother were living with their widowed mother at Bishop Gate, Bishops Castle, Shropshire. By 1911 Reginald was still living in Bishops Castle but at 4 Union Street. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 his address was given as 11 Dodington, Whitchurch. In 1939 his address was 19 Black Park, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1975.

Employment: He was a baker and confectioner.

Died: 16 September 1975 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 81, and buried at Whitchurch Cemetery on 20 September 1975.

Alfred Dunn

Personal Details

Born: 15 July 1880 in Ainderby Steeple, Northallerton, Yorkshire and baptised on 29 August 1880 in Ainderby Steeple Parish Church.

Family: He was the third of ten children born to Alfred Dunn, a gardener, and his wife Hannah. He married Rose De Bank on the 30 May 1906 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had five children – Charles De Bank, Alfred, Annie, Florence and Charles.

Residence: In 1881 he lived with his parents and siblings at Ainderby Hall, Ainderby-Steeple, Northallerton, Yorkshire. By 1891 the family had moved to Lobley Hole, Ilton with Pott, Bedale, Yorkshire. In 1901 Alfred was living as a servant at Aston Hall, Aston on Trent, Shardlow, Derbyshire and in 1911, having married, lived with his wife and two children in Wirswall, Whitchurch. In 1915 he lived at Garden Lodge, Llwyn, Llanyfyllin, Montgomeryshire, Wales; in 1939 he was living at Rose Villa, Llanyfyllin

Employment: Alfred was employed as a groom (domestic) at Aston Hall and at Wirswall. In 1939 he was employed as a chauffeur.

Died: In 1963, aged 83, in Llanyfyllin.

Harry Downing

Personal Details

Born: 16 March 1892 in Burleydam, Cheshire.

Family: He was the sixth of ten children born to Joseph Downing, a farmer, and his wife Sarah. He married Irene A Sharpe July 1921 in Whitchurch, Shropshire; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his parents and siblings at Old Woodhouses, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1911 the family had moved to Elymas House, Wirswall, Cheshire. When he enlisted he was living at Brook Villa, Broughall, Whitchurch. In 1939 he had moved to 61 Kingsway, Manchester. At the time of his death he was living at 43 Irish Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Employment: In 1911 he was assisting on the family farm and in 1939 he was a master dairyman.

Died: 26 April 1981, aged 89, in Whitehaven.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Tanks Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 109702

Date of Enlistment: 3 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 23 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Ralph Done

Personal Details

Born: 19 January 1871 in Adderley, Shropshire and baptised on 5 March 1871 in Adderley Parish Church.

Family: He was the fifth child born to Joseph Done, an agricultural labourer and his wife Frances. He married Leonora Oxford on the 23 December 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had four children, Ethel, Arthur, Harold & Ella.

Residence: In 1871 the family was living at Raven Yard, Adderley, Shropshire. In 1881 he was living at the Cottage, Adderley and by 1901 the family had moved to Manor Farm Cottages, Hadley, Wellington, Shropshire. In 1911 he and his wife were living at 62 Elaine Street, Warrington. In 1939 he was living at 366 Manchester Road, Warrington.

Employment: In 1901 he was a coachmaker finisher and in 1904 joined the Union of Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. By 1911 he was working as an Insurance Agent and did so until retirement.

Died: 17 October 1940 in Warrington, aged 69 and was buried in Warrington cemetery on 21 October the same year.

John Marshall Docherty

Personal Details

Born: 10 May 1892 in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Family: He was the sixth child born to John Docherty, a laboratory technician & his wife Elizabeth. He married Florence May Portar on 20 May 1918 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had one son, Colin born 1921.

Residence: In 1901 the family was living at 5 Seabank Street, Saltcoats, Ayrshire. The address given on his demobilisation was 15 Arthur Street, Saltcoats although his wife at this time was living at 8 Park Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living at 15 George Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was employed as a machineman at Auchenharvie Colliery, Stevenson, Ayrshire. In 1939 he was working as a road maker with Salop LC.

Died: In 1954 in Whitchurch, aged 58.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 182424

Date of Enlistment: 10 September 1917

Date of Discharge: 14 December 1918

Reason for Discharge: Surplus to military requirements (due to varicose veins)

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Silver War Badge number B118583

Silver War Badge

William Roland Davies

Personal Details

Born: 25 November 1890 in Loppington, Shropshire and baptised 28 December 1890 at Loppington Parish Church.

Family: He was the younger of two sons born to William Davies, a schoolmaster and his wife Annie. He married Martha Bedford 17 November 1914 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Kenneth and Norman.

Residence: In 1891 he lived with his parents and brother at the School House, Loppington, Shropshire. Ten years later they were still there. In 1911 he was boarding at 2 Park View, Ballott Street, Smethwick, Staffordshire. When he enlisted in 1915 he was living at 208 Oswald Street, Chorlton-cum- Hardy, Manchester. The address given for him on his demobilisation in 1919 was The School House Loppington. By 1939 he and his family were living at 58 Oxley Road, Walford, Hertfordshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a railway goods clerk and in 1939 a railway clerk.

Died: 28 August 1969 in Bournemouth, Dorset. (possible)

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 156100

Date of Enlistment: November 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: William qualified as a signaller

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

William Edward Davies

Personal Details

Born: 11 November 1887 in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

Family: He married Bella Furnival on 15 December 1905 at St John`s Wesleyan Chapel, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had seven children, William Frederick, Arthur, George Henry, Herbert Hugh, Ivor Edward, Charles Robert and Betty.

Residence: In 1911 he and his family were living at 1 Sandford, Prees, Shropshire. This was also the address given for him on his Attestation in 1915. When he was discharged in 1919 his home was stated as Mount Pleasant, Audlem, Cheshire. By 1939 he had moved to Bath Cottage, Nantwich, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a domestic coachman and was still in the same employment at the time of his attestation. In 1939 his occupation was a dairyman making cheese.

Died: He possibly died in 1966 in Crewe, Cheshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 97512

Date of Enlistment: 7 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 28 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service (due to weakened heart following influenza)

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge number B289892 on 17 July 1919

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Joseph Crewe

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 3466

Date of Enlistment: 10 May 1915

Date of Discharge: 17 July 1915

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier (due to epilepsy)

Medals and Awards

Joseph was awarded the Silver War Badge number 232711 on 6 July 1917

Silver War Badge

Ernest Crewe

Personal Details

Born: 1890 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 24 December 1890 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of at least six children born to George Crewe, a bricklayer and his wife Margaret. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1891 he and his family were living in Alkington, near Whitchurch. His mother died in 1895 and it is possible that Ernest was in the Union Workhouse, Whitchurch in 1901. By 1911 he was living at the Arrowry, Hanmer, Flintshire. On his enlistment in 1915 he gave his address as 4 Churton’s Yard, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a farm labourer and in 1915 he was a dairyman.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 3487

Date of Enlistment: 17 May 1915

Date of Discharge: 11 October 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer fit for military service (due to a childhood accident)

Medals and Awards

Ernest was awarded the Silver War Badge number 192263 on 25 June 1917

Silver War Badge

Frank Rigby Corn

Personal Details

Born: 15 March 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 17 April 1898 in the Church of the Saviour, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of eight surviving children born to William Thompson Corn, a railway brakesman and his wife Ann, nee Rigby. He married Matilda Davies in 1922 in Nantwich, Cheshire. The couple had two children, Charles and Elizabeth.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1898 he was living with his parents and siblings at 10 Talbot Street, Whitchurch. By 1901 the family had moved to 36 Benyon Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1911 they were still in Shrewsbury, but now at 5 Beaumont Terrace, John Street. On his demobilisation in 1919 an address of 10 Station View, Nantwich, Cheshire was given for him. By 1939 he was living with his wife and children at 14 Highland Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. At the time of his death in 1967 his home was 61 Church Street, Coventry, Warwickshire.

Employment: In 1919 his occupation was given as a grocer. In 1939 he was an Insurance agent.

Died: 7 February 1967 in Coventry, Warwickshire, aged 68.

Military Details

Regiment: South Lancashire Regiment (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 242778 (previously 5503 and 2286)

Date of Enlistment: 28 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 23 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Albert Clive

Personal Details

Born: 17 April 1893 in Fenns Bank, Bronington, Flintshire, Wales and baptised 16 May 1893 at Bronington Parish Church.

Family: He was the son of Mary Ann Clive. He married Dorothy Kilgariff in 1922 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had one child, Irene S, born 1925.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his grandmother at Brook Cottage, Bridgewater Street, Whitchurch. By 1911 his family had moved to 2 Blanton’s Yard, Green End, Whitchurch. At the time of his Attestation in 1915 his address was 60 Oddfellows Terrace, Whitchurch; military records show his address in the 1920s as 60 West End, Whitchurch (which is likely to be the same residence). In 1939 he lived with his wife and daughter at 30 Wayland Road, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1948.

Employment: In 1911 he was a labourer in an iron foundry. By 1939 he was an artesian well borer.

Died: 1948 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and buried 2 December 1948 in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 55.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 06589

Date of Enlistment: 22 April 1915

Date of Discharge: 19 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Albert served in France and Egypt.

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Richard Chelmick

Personal Details

Born: 15 May 1881 in Clun, Shropshire and baptised on 29 May 1881 at Clun Parish Church.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to John Chelmick, a shoemaker and his wife Mary Ann. He married May Dobson on 21 January 1914 at Draycott in the Moors, Staffordshire. The couple had five children, Edward, Nancy, Joan, Douglas and Ida.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his widowed mother and siblings in High Street, Clun, Shropshire. Ten years later he was living with his uncle in Bridge Street, Leominster, Herefordshire. In 1911 he was a boarder at 21 Talbot Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 and now married, his address was 17 Talbot Street, Whitchurch. Upon demobilisation that had changed to Upper Newton Farm, Tean, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. In 1939 he was living with his wife and children at 3 Bearstone Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire. At the time of his death in 1960 his home was North Lodge, Norton-in-Hales, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a carpenter and joiner.

Died: 22 December 1960 at the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury, aged 79.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously Liverpool Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 46284 (previously 70610)

Date of Enlistment: 8 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 4 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

George Chase

Personal Details

Born: 11 July 1894, Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 27 July 1894 in St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was one of eight children born to William Chase, a labourer and his wife Sarah. He married Mary Alice Parker on 26 December 1914 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. The couple had eight children: George E, Barbara R, Harry P, Mary A, Sarah P, Margaret B, William and Joyce.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living in Alkington, near Whitchurch. By 1911 he lived at The Chain House, Alkington. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 and now married, he gave an address of 2 Brick Walls, Tilstock Park, Whitchurch. By 1939 he had moved with his wife and children to Rose Cottage, Cromwell Street, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 his occupation was described as a waggoner, in 1915 a horseman and in 1939 a general labourer.

Died: Not known

John James Burrows

Personal Details

Born: 1882 in Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire.

Family: He was the second of five children born to James Burrows, a miner and his wife Mary, nee Preston. His father died in 1889 and his mother married Joseph Farr in 1890. James married Florence Emily Hill on 24 December 1906 in Ettingshall, Staffordshire. The couple had two children, Albert Walter and Frances.

Residence: In 1911 his family were living at 321 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 he and his family had moved to 36 Worthington Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. At the time of his demobilisation in 1919 an address of 63 Hartshorne Street, Bilston, Staffordshire. This was the home of his wife`s parents. At the time of his death in 1929 his home was 280 Wellington Road, Bilston.

Employment: In 1911 he was a coach builder and mechanic. However in 1915 he was described as a coach painter.

Died: 14 December 1929 at the Queen Victoria Institution, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, aged 46.

Other Information: His wife Florence died 4 June 1916 in Bilston, Staffordshire, at the home of her parents. After her death James` next of kin was given as his mother, Mrs. Farr, of 28 John Street, Wimblebury, Hednesford, Staffordshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 387539 (previously 7539)

Date of Enlistment: 8 April 1915

Date of Discharge: 9 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other information: Suffered from shellshock in February 1916.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Burns

Harry Brown

Personal Details

Born: 11 May 1884 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of seven surviving children born to Richard Brown, an agricultural labourer and his wife Mary. He married Lucy Nellie Starkey on 22 January 1907 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. The couple had five children, Hilda May, Phyllis Margaret, Harry R, Gwendoline Nelly and Alice Eileen. Sadly their son, Harry, died in 1914.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at Blackoe Cottages, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1901 his address was Belton Farm, Whitchurch. By 1911 and now married he and his family were living 2 Belton Road, Whitchurch; however at the time of his enlistment in 1915 they had moved to 1 Blackoe Cottage, Whitchurch. This was still his address in 1939. At the time of his death in 1970, his home was Roseleigh, Wrexham Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was an agricultural labourer.

Died: In 1970 in Whitchurch,Shropshire and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 20 April 1970, aged 85.

Robert Birchall

Personal Details

Born: 3 March 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 5 April 1889 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of four children born to Robert Birchall, a farmer and his wife Ellen. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living at Danson`s Cottage, Whitchurch, Shropshire. From at least 1891 until 1911 they were living at New Woodhouses, near Whitchurch, Shropshire. He gave an address of 37 High Street, Whitchurch on his Attestation in 1915. In 1939 his address was Rose Hill Farm, New Woodhouses, near Whitchurch.

Education: He enrolled at Burleydam School, Cheshire on 22 May 1894.

Employment: On the 1911 Census and on his attestation his occupation was described as a saddler. By 1939 he was a farmer.

Died: In 1987, death registered in North Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Hampshire Regiment (previously Training Regiment and Royal Army Service Corps)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 39126 (previously TR7/12792 and 198221)

Date of Enlistment: 12 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 11 May 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Robert was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Oswald Benbow

Personal Details

Born: 23 September 1885 in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

Family: He was the second of eleven children born to Jonathan Benbow, a tailor and his wife Margaret. He married Emily Rudge 13 December 1915 at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Lydbury, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Herbert Oswald and Beryl B.

Residence: In 1891 he and his parents and siblings were living in Long Bridge Street, Llandiloes, Montgomeryshire. They were still there in 1901. By 1911 Oswald was a boarder at 33 Church Street, Bishops Castle, Shropshire. On his Attestation in 1915 his address was given as 11 Park Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1939 he was living with his wife and son at 29 Brocton, Clun, Shropshire. At the time of his death in 1964 his home was 58 Church Street, Bishops Castle, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a journeyman tailor.

Died: 10 November 1961 at Clun, Shropshire, aged 79.

Military Details

Regiment: Rifle Brigade

Rank: Private

Service Number: S/14591

Date of Enlistment: 6 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 May 1916

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier due to ill health

Medals and Awards

Oswald was awarded the Silver War Badge number 285721 on 17 December 1917

Silver War Badge

William Belfield

Personal Details

Born: 1875 in Nantwich, Cheshire and baptised 18 July 1875 at Nantwich Parish Church.

Family: He was the fifth of nine children born to Joseph Belfield, a horse dealer and his wife Ann. He married Alice Street on 5 February 1898 at Nantwich Parish Church. The couple had four children.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living in Snow Hill, Nantwich. By 1881 the family had moved to Beam Street, Nantwich and 10 years later their address was 12 Welch Street, Nantwich. In 1901, and now married, he was living with his wife and daughter at 27 Snow Hill, Nantwich. Some 10 years later they were living at 5 Hawthorn Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire. At the time of his Attestation in 1915 his address was 8 Barlows Yard, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: On both the 1901 and 1911 Census his occupation was described as a marine dealer, however in 1915 he was said to be a labourer.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 18570

Date of Enlistment: 14 July 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 August 1915

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier due to deafness

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Silver War Badge number 137773 on 28 October 1917

Silver War Badge

Frank Arrowsmith

Personal Details

Born: 1888 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 9 May 1888 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth of twelve children born to Alfred Arrowsmith, a labourer in an iron foundry and his wife Ellen. He married Ethel Maud Bangham on 23 September 1914 at Crewe Parish Church, Crewe, Cheshire. The couple had four children; Arthur J, Phyllis Maud, Frances C and Barbara M.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at Foxes Lane, Broughall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1901 the family had moved to Edgeley, Whitchurch. In 1911 he was a boarder at 27 Pollitt Street, Gorton, Manchester. When he enlisted in 1915 he gave his address as 5 High Gate, Whitchurch, however this was changed to 37 Bridge Street, Benthall, Nr. Broseley. Shropshire. On his pension record another address of Ash View, Brown Moss, Whitchurch was given for him.

Employment: In 1911 he was a railway engine cleaner but in 1915 his occupation was given as a motor mechanic.

Died: 21 March 1924 in Madeley, Shropshire, aged 35.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M2/202830

Date of Enlistment: 10 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 23 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Frank was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Richard William Woodcock

Personal Details

Born: 1895 in Prees, Shropshire and baptised 10 March 1895 at Calverhall Parish Church, Calverhall, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Richard Timmis Woodcock, an agricultural labourer and his wife Emma. He married Annie Iveson in 1923 in West Derby, Lancashire. The couple had three children, Edith B, Emma J and Pamela M.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living in Willaston, Calverhall. By 1911 his address was Manor Farm, Calverhall. In 1939 and now married, he was living at 34 Hightor Road, Woolton, Liverpool. This was still his home at the time of his death in 1990.

Employment: In 1911 he was an agricultural labourer. By 1939 he was a sheet metal inspector in the aircraft industry.

Died: 2 April 1990 in Liverpool, Lancashire, aged 95.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Acting Bombardier/Driver

Service Number: EMT/57072 (previously 91531)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

James Walter Hibbert

Personal Details

Born: 1866 in Duckinfield, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.

Family: He was the child of Ann Hibbert. He married Eliza Ann Hurst on 7 February 1886 in Duckinfield. He married for the second time to Alma Elizabeth Ward on 27 September 1911 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had two children – Walter and Alma.

Residence: In 1871 he was living in Hodgson Street, Ashton-under-Lyne; by 1881 he had moved to 54 Dale Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1891 having enlisted he was living at St Chad, Shropshire Light Infantry Depot, Shrewsbury. In 1911 he was boarding at Havana House, Whitchurch. In 1915 his enlistment papers showed an address of Queens Head, High Street, Church Stretton, Shropshire and in 1920 he was living in Copthorne Gardens, Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1933 at the time of his death he was living at The Castle Inn, Severn Street, Castlefields, Shrewsbury.

Employment: In 1881 he was a railway station clerk; in 1891 he was a clerk in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. In 1911 he was a Sergeant instructor and in 1933 he was a publican.

Died: 4 April 1933 in Atcham, Shropshire, aged 67.

William Edmund Smith

Personal Details

Born: 1887 in Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Family: He was the elder of two children born to Frederick Edward Smith and his wife Hannah, nee Bennett. He married Mary Bate on 7 June 1908 in Market Drayton, Shropshire. The couple had one child, William Richard, born in 1910.

Residence: In 1891 he and his family were living at The Shutt, Drayton in Hales, Shropshire. By 1901 they had moved to Keelings Lane, Little Drayton, Shropshire. In 1911 and now married his address was 46 Yardington, Whitchurch. Several addresses were given for him on his military records; 26 Longslow Road, Market Drayton, 5 Watergate Street, Whitchurch, 9 Bark Hill, Whitchurch and 5 Raven Yard, Whitchurch. The latter was the address given for Joseph Smith on the 1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch. At the time of his demobilisation in October 1919 he was living at 9 Bark Hill.

Employment: In 1901 he was a general labourer and in 1911 a rag and bone dealer. His 1915 military records stated that he was a labourer.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 676877 (previously 18958)

Date of Enlistment: 27 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

George Oakley

Personal Details

Born: 24 April 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the sixth of nine children born to George Oakley, an iron moulder and his wife Mary. He married Ellen C Holmes in 1911 in Leominster, Herefordshire. The couple had one son, Edward John, born in 1916.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living in Bark Hill, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Ten years later they had moved to Dodington, Whitchurch. In 1911 he was a boarder at 9 Shaftesbury Terrace, Victoria Avenue, Wellington, Shropshire. An address of 39 Cannon Street, Shrewsbury was given for him on his pension record card. By 1939 he and his family were living at “Sharrow”, Bowbrook, Shrewsbury. This continued to be his home until his death in 1950.

Employment: In 1911 he was an ironmonger`s assistant. His occupation stated on his military records was a traveller. In 1939 he was an agricultural engineer.

Died: 15 January 1950, aged 62 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously Loyal North Lancashire Regiment)

Rank: Acting Sergeant

Service Number: 381477 (previously 34333)

Date of Enlistment: 27 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 17 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not Known

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

George Edward Morgan

Personal Details

Born: 13 October 1891 in Presteign, Radnorshire, Wales.

Family: He was the second of three surviving children born to George Morgan, a shepherd and his wife Mary. He married Matilda J Wilding in 1924 in Church Stretton, Shropshire. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family in Upper Coston, Clunbury, Shropshire. By 1911 he was a boarder at Wistanstow, Craven Arms, Shropshire. Upon his enlistment in 1915 his address was 156 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1919 his home was at Long Lane Farm, Craven Arms and in 1939 1 Long Lane, Ludlow RD, Shropshire. At the time of his death in 1968 he was living at 45 Watling Street, Craven Arms.

Employment: In 1911 and 1915 his occupation was described as a butcher. In 1939 he was a dairy farmer.

Died: 30 June 1968, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, aged 76.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 437206 (previously 22033)

Date of Enlistment: 6 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 8 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

William John Bryan

Personal Details

Born: 7 August 1876 in Liverpool, Lancashire.

Family: He was the third of seven children born to John Bryan, a watch finisher, and his wife Margaret. He married Isabella Armitstead on 25 January 1900. The couple had two children, Mabel Isabella born 1902 and Nora born 1912.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings at 1 Court, 2 Houghton Street, Prescot, Lancashire; by 1891 they had moved to 26 Williams Street, Prescot. In 1901 he and his wife were living at 42 Newton Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire. By 1911 they had moved to 110 Duke Street, Birkenhead. His military records have an address of 16 Belton Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire for him. This was also his home on 1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch. In 1939 he and his family were living at 12 Knutsford Road, Congleton, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was a leather salesman and in 1911 a boot repairer. His military records describe him as a bootmaker. This was still his occupation in 1939.

Died: 1946 in Crewe, Cheshire, aged 69.

John Fowles

Personal Details

Born: 5 September 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 22 September the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the fourth of eight children born to Joseph Fowles, a farmer, and his wife Sarah. Sarah married again to Charles Williams and together they had one child. He married Winifrede Walsh in 1925 in Halifax, Yorkshire and together they had five children – John, Margaret J, Brian, Anthony and Gerald.

Residence: From the time of his baptism to at least 1911 he lived with his family in Wirswall, Cheshire. In 1925 he was living in Halifax, West Yorkshire and in 1939 at 32 Vicar Road, Darfield, West Riding, Yorkshire.

Employment: He was a gardener from 1911 to at least 1939.

Died: December 1977 in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 10980

Date of Enlistment: September 1914

Date of Discharge: 26 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In 1915 John suffered bullet wounds to the left thigh; in 1916 he suffered shell shock; he was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Samuel Sumner

Personal Details

Born: In 1887 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 26 October that year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was one of seven surviving children born to John Sumner, a labourer, and his wife Hannah. He married Martha Annie Craddock in 1918 in Whitchurch; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family were living in Castle Hill, Whitchurch; by 1891 they had moved to Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. In 1901 he was a servant at Belton Farm, Whitchurch and by 1911 he was back with his family at 16 Liverpool Street, Whitchurch. Between 1922 and 1927 he was living at 52 Naylor Street, Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was a poultry farm lad.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 701557 (previously 10695)

Date of Enlistment: 12 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 4 July 1916

Reason for Discharge: Physically unfit for further service

Other Information: His brother John was killed in action on 26 March 1918.

Medals and Awards

Samuel was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 82288)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Arthur Stevenson

Personal Details

Born: 6 July 1896 in Bunbury, Cheshire.

Family: He was the seventh of nine surviving children born to John Stevenson, a general farm labourer, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Thelwell). He married Mary Royle in 1924 in Nantwich, Cheshire; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at 12 Bunbury Heath, Bunbury; by 1911 he was a servant on Woodhey Hall Farm, Nantwich. When he was discharged from military service in 1916 his address was Woodhey Green, Faddiley, Nantwich. In 1939 he was living at 7 Brook Avenue, Shavington, Cheshire where he continued to live until the time of his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was a general farm servant; in 1939 he was a roadman.

Died: 10 November 1949 in the Memorial Hospital, Crewe, Cheshire, aged 53.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 11850

Date of Enlistment: 3 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 22 May 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for service

Other Information: Arthur enlisted in Whitchurch, Shropshire. He had an accident when on leave in the UK resulting in hemiplegia which led to his discharge from the military.

Medals and Awards

Arthur was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 504741)

Silver War Badge

Herbert Thomas Hockenhull

Personal Details

Born: 3 July 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 21 July the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the sixth of eight children born to James Hockenhull, a van driver, and his wife Mary. He married Annie May Albrighton on 15 June 1921 in King’s Norton, Worcestershire. The couple emigrated to the United States of America in 1923 and at that time had no children. USA birth records are not available.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Catteralls Lane, Whitchurch, where Herbert continued to live until at least 1901. In 1911 he was on the staff of and living at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire. In 1919 he was registered to vote at 206 Osborn Road, Moseley, Warwickshire. He emigrated with his wife to the USA in 1923 and his application for US naturalisation in 1939 indicates an address of 44 Seaman Avenue, New York City.

Employment: In 1911 he was a waiter at a public school; in 1914 he was a chauffeur and in 1923 he was a motor mechanic .

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers (previously Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 249748 (previously 1922)

Date of Enlistment: 1 September 1914

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother James Henry was killed in action in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Herbert was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Charles Rowlands

Personal Details

Born: In 1889 in Chorlton, Lancashire.

Family: He was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Rowlands. He married Winifred Mary Madeley in 1914 in Wem, Shropshire; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with an aunt and uncle at 11 Alkington Road, Whitchurch; by 1911 he was boarding at 31 New Street, Wem, Shropshire. At the time of his death he was living at 27 New Street, Wem.

Employment: In 1911 he was a brewer’s clerk.

Died: 5 July 1922, aged 32 in Wem.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 11152

Date of Enlistment: Prior to May 1915

Date of Discharge: 3 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was mentioned in dispatches, reported in the London Gazette in December 1917.

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Charles Green

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 13629

Date of Enlistment: 11 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 21 March 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for service

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 504315, issued 15 October 1920)

Silver War Badge

James Holbrook

Personal Details

Born: 18 April 1864 in Hanmer, Flintshire, Wales

Family: He was the eldest of five children (he had a twin brother John) born to Benjamin Holbrook, a bricklayer, and his wife Ann. He married Nellie Green on 20 November 1895 in Marbury Parish Church, Cheshire and together they had four children – Nellie Elizabeth F, Beatrice, Doris Patricia and James Archibald.

Residence: In 1871 the family were living at 20 Newtown Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1901 and now married, James was living with his family in Norbury, Cheshire; by 1911 he had moved to 15 Edgerton Road, Whitchurch. Between 1916 and 1939 he was living at 572 Leek Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.

Employment: He was a postman all his working life.

Died: In 1948 in Stoke on Trent, aged 84.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 96

Date of Enlistment: 27 April 1908

Date of Discharge: 11 October 1916

Reason for Discharge: Sickness

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal) Territorial Force War Medal and Silver War Badge (number 105240)

Campaign Medals

Territorial Force War Medal

Silver War Badge

James Oliver

Personal Details

Born: In 1882 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 1 October the same year in Tilstock Parish Church, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of nine surviving children born to Edward Oliver, a labourer, and his wife Louisa. He married Louisa Clifton Aston on 1 December 1905 in the Headless Cross Parish Church, Alcester, Warwickshire and together they had three children – Denis James Eustace, Percy Edward and Molly Patricia.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, his family were living in Tilstock. In 1891 he was living with John and Sarah Morris and their family in Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, Shropshire (his mother’s maiden name was Morris). In 1901 he was living in High Street, Feckenham, Alcester, Worcestershire. By 1911 and now married he lived in Bromsgrove Road, Webheath, Redditch, Worcestershire. His military records have three addresses – Birchfield Road, Headless Cross, Redditch, Bromsgrove Road, Webheath, Redditch and 2 Ashwood Lane, Whitchurch. The 1939 Register records his wife Louisa (divorced) with their two younger children living at 341 Birchfield Road, Redditch; we cannot locate James in this Register.

Employment: In 1901 he was a carter in the coal trade; in 1905 he was a groom which continued to be his occupation until at least 1914.

Died: In 1959 in Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Defence Corps (previously Gloucestershire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment and Worcestershire Yeomanry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 72943 (previously 260555, 325433 and 2661)

Date of Enlistment: 9 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 26 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Physically unfit for further service

Other Information: He was wounded in action on 7 November 1917. His brother Percy was killed in action in WW1.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal) and Silver War Badge (number B343005)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Frank Madeley

Personal Details

Born: Francis Madeley in 1895 in Tilstock, Shropshire and baptised 26 July 1895 in Tilstock Parish Church.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Henry Madeley, a farmer and his wife Elizabeth Ann. He married Charlotte Dutton in 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Elizabeth, M born in 1933.

Residence: From the time of his baptism in 1895 until at least 1911 he and his family were living in Hollins Lane, Tilstock. His military records have an address of Honkley Farm, Rossett, Flintshire for him. In 1939 he was living at Hollins House, Hollins Lane, Tilstock. At the time of his death in 1969 his address was 189 Mold Road, Buckley, Flintshire.

Employment: In 1914 he was a farm labourer but by 1939 he was a dairy farmer.

Died: 8 March 1969 in Buckley Flintshire, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 554499 (previously 13034)

Date of Enlistment: 14 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 4 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Frank was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

George Harry Porter

Personal Details

Born: 10 March 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 29 March 1893 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of six surviving children born to George Porter, a platelayer on the railway and his wife Margaret Anne. He married Annie Richards in 1923 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. No children can be traced for the couple.

Residence: From the time of his baptism in 1893 until at least 1901 his family were living in Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. By 1911 they had moved to 47 Egerton Road, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1938 an address of 10 Station Road, Whitchurch was given for him.

Employment: In 1911 he was a general labourer.

Died: 1938, aged 45, at Bicton Mental Hospital, Bicton, Shropshire and buried on 27 April 1938 in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 11646

Date of Enlistment: 1 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 14 December 1918

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number B125932)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Fred Newbrook

Personal Details

Born: 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 29 June 1894 at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of seven surviving children born to Alfred Newbrook, a labourer and his wife Sarah Ann. No marriage can be found for Fred.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at 5 Castle Hill, Whitchurch. In 1911 they had moved to 20 High Gate, Whitchurch. His military records had an address of 9 Pepper Street, Whitchurch for him. By 1939 he was living at 4 Alkington Road, Whitchurch and at the time of his death in 1959, 73 Queensway, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a grocer`s errand boy. By 1939 his occupation was a general labourer.

Died: 1959 at Audley House, Newport, Shropshire, aged 64 and buried 2 May 1959 in Whitchurch, Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 10694

Date of Enlistment: 12 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 30 July 1917

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit (wounds)

Medals and Awards

Fred was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 230764)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

George Graham Morgan

Personal Details

Born: 15 September 1874 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire and baptised 30 May 1876 at Merthyr Tydfil Parish Church.

Family: He was the eldest of at least five children born to William Morgan, a potato merchant and his wife Elizabeth. He married Kathleen Haigh in 1908 in Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The couple had two children, George Graham and Harry.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1876 until at least 1881 his family were living in Court Street, Merthyr Tydfil. In 1881 George was a boarder at a farm in Alkington, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at 11 St Mary`s Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 and now married, his home was 7 Park Road, Whitchurch. An address of 9 West End, Whitchurch was given for him on his 1917 Pension Index Card. In 1939 and until his death in 1956 he was living at 9 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1891 he was a farm apprentice but by 1901 he was a clerk, possibly working for his father. An occupation of potato merchant was stated for him in both 1911 and 1939.

Died: 1956 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried on 23 April 1956 in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 81.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Driver

Service Number: T1/3834

Date of Enlistment: 8 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 2 January 1917

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 106346)

Silver War Badge

Albert Edward Chidlow

Personal Details

Born: 1897 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: The 1911 Census record indicates that he was an adopted child when he was living with the James family (headed by William with his wife, Charlotte). He married Lucy M Glennoe in 1919 in Whitchurch and together they had five children – Aileen M, Robert W A, Albert E, Ronald Edward and Joan May.

Residence: In 1911 he was living with the James’ family at 3 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living with his wife and children at 5 Newtown, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was an iron founder’s roofer.

Died: In 1959 in Whitchurch, aged 61.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 11647

Date of Enlistment: 1 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 10 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John Henry Edwards

Personal Details

Born: 1891 in Burnley, Lancashire and baptised on 1 October 1891 at St. Matthew`s Church, Habergham Eaves, Burnley.

Family: He was the only child of Joseph H Edwards, a watchmaker and his wife Ellen. He married Frances Ann Warner 28 June 1916 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Gladys Mary, born in 1918 in Whitchurch.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1891, his family were living at 22 Gresham Place, Burnley, Lancashire. From at least 1901 until 1911 their address was 24 Pepper Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. His military records for 1915 had an address of 4 Deermoss Lane, Whitchurch for him. This was still where he was living in 1919 according to the Absent Voters` List.

Employment: In 1911 he was a grocer`s assistant.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Monmouthshire Regiment (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 47466 (previously 29965)

Date of Enlistment: 8 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 29 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Alfred Edwards

Personal Details

Born: 1878 in Whixall, Shropshire

Family: He was the younger of two children born to Edwin Edwards, a general labourer, and his wife Keziah. He married Lily (or Lilly) Stokes in 1903 in Fulham, London and together they had one child, Elsie.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his parents and sister at 4 Hollinwood, Whixall; by 1891 they had moved to Trafford Street, Hulme, Manchester, Lancashire. In 1901 he was boarding at 14 Belleck Street, Chorlton, Manchester. In 1911 he was living with his wife and daughter at 39 Rodridge Street, Station Town, Wingate, Durham. At some point in the 1920s he emigrated to Australia, probably travelling separately from Lily.

Employment: His military documents have two occupations for him, a collier and canteen waiter.

Died: 21 March 1931 in Queensland, Australia.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously Labour Corps and King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: M/396417 (previously 693831, 25212)

Date of Enlistment: 11 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 25 January 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

John William Mann

Personal Details

Born: 15 July 1890 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 16 July the same year at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church.

Family: He was one of six surviving children born to Thomas Mann, a labourer and his wife Mary. He married Annie Heath in 1919 in Wem, Shropshire and together they had three children – Herbert J, William and Mary J.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1890 his family were living in Jones`s Yard, Whitchurch. By 1891 their address was Venables Yard, Whitchurch. Ten years later in 1901 they had moved to 17 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. On his Pension Record initially an address of 25A Newtown, Whitchurch was stated; this was the home of his parents. However this was changed at some stage to 2 Hollin Wood, Whixall, nr Whitchurch. The 1939 Register records Annie and two of their children living at 4 Ash Magna, Ash Magna, Shropshire; John William is not recorded at this address on the register.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 11151

Date of Enlistment: Not known, but prior to May 1915

Date of Discharge: 18 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was a prisoner of war, captured at Corbie on 28 March 1918.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British war medal and Victory medal)

Campaign Medals

Military Personnel – surnames starting with Y

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter Y. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Yapp	Charles	Survived	View Details
Yonge	Christopher Claude	Survived	Did not serve during WW1; deserted 1/4/1896.
Young	Benjamin Minshall	Survived	View Details
Young	Horace Norman	Died	View Details
Young	John Edgar	Survived	View Details
Young	William John Minshall	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with W

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter W. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Wade	George	Survived	View Details
Wagstaff	Harry	Survived	View Details
Wagstaffe	Frederick Horace	Survived	View Details
Wainwright	Richard Herbert	Survived	View Details
Walford	Edward	Died	View Details
Walford	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Walford	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Walker	Ernest O	Died	View Details
Walley	Alfred	Died	View Details
Walter	Felix Alfred	Died	View Details
Walters	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Ward	Francis Samuel	Survived	View Details
Ward	George	Died	View Details
Ward	John	Survived	No further information available.
Warner	Ernest G	Died	View Details
Warrender	Francis	Died	View Details
Wasse	Leonard	Died	View Details
Watkin	Arthur John	Survived	View Details
Watkins	Harold Thomas	Died	View Details
Watkiss	William	Survived	View Details
Watson	Percy Charles	Survived	View Details
Watt	John Vade	Died	View Details
Webb	James	Survived	View Details
Webster	George	Survived	View Details
Webster	George	Died	View Details
Webster	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Welch	John Francis	Survived	View Details
Welch	John Reginald	Survived	View Details
Welch	Oliver	Survived	View Details
Welch	Wallace Bailey	Survived	View Details
Welch	William Gordon	Died	View Details
Whalley	William Cartwright	Survived	View Details
Wharton	Henry Jnr.	Survived	View Details
Wharton	John	Survived	View Details
Wharton	John	Survived	View Details
Wharton	John Frederick	Survived	View Details
White	George	Survived	Did not serve; born in 1839
White	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
White	George Henry	Died	View Details
Whitehead	William	Died	View Details
Whitfield	Cecil Harry	Died	View Details
Whitfield	Charles	Died	View Details
Whitfield	F	Died	No further information available.
Whitfield	Samuel Richard	Died	View Details
Whitney	Frederick	Died	View Details
Whitney	William	Died	View Details
Whittingham	Robert Cecil	Survived	View Details
Wilde	Walter	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	Arthur	Died	View Details
Wilkinson	Frederick Joseph	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	George	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	James	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	Richard	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	Thomas Bowen	Survived	View Details
Wilkinson	Wallace	Died	View Details
Wilkinson	William	Died	View Details
Willett	Geoffrey Frank	Died	View Details
Williams	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Williams	Cecil Harold	Survived	View Details
Williams	Charles William	Survived	View Details
Williams	Charles	Died	View Details
Williams	Charles Thomas	Survived	View Details
Williams	Enoch	Died	View Details
Williams	Frank	Survived	View Details
Williams	Frank	Survived	View Details
Williams	Frank Harry	Survived	View Details
Williams	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Williams	Frederick William	Survived	View Details
Williams	George Herbert	Died	View Details
Williams	Harold	Survived	View Details
Williams	Harry	Survived	View Details
Williams	Harry	Died	View Details
Williams	Henry	Survived	View Details
Williams	J	Survived	No further information available.
Williams	Jack	Survived	View Details
Williams	John	Survived	View Details
Williams	John	Survived	View Details
Williams	John	Died	View Details
Williams	John	Died	View Details
Williams	John Arthur	Died	View Details
Williams	John Henry	Survived	View Details
Williams	John Henry	Died	View Details
Williams	John Herbert	Died	View Details
Williams	Kenneth William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Williams	Percy	Survived	Did not serve; discharged prior to the start of WW1
Williams	Richard	Survived	View Details
Williams	Thomas	Died	View Details
Williams	Thomas Victor	Died	View Details
Williams	William	Survived	View Details
Williams	William James	Survived	View Details
Williamson	George	Died	View Details
Williamson	Joseph Ankers	Died	View Details
Williamson	Richard	Died	View Details
Willison	Clifford	Died	View Details
Wilson	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Wilson	Edwin George	Survived	View Details
Wilson	Ernest E	Died	View Details
Wilson	George	Survived	View Details
Wilson	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Wilson	Jesse	Survived	View Details
Wilson	Joseph Alfred	Survived	View Details
Wilson	Leonard	Died	View Details
Wilson	Talbot Ernest	Died	View Details
Wilson	Walter	Died	View Details
Wilson	William	Died	View Details
Windsor	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Wisdom	Bernard Powell	Survived	View Details
Witkiss	Albert	Died	View Details
Witts	Robert Buckley	Survived	View Details
Wolley Dod	Douglas Kirk	Died	View Details
Wolley Dod	Frederick Hova	Died	View Details
Wood	George	Survived	View Details
Wood	James H	Died	View Details
Wood	John Albert	Survived	View Details
Woodcock	Richard William	Survived	View Details
Woodfield	George Albert	Died	View Details
Woodhall	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Woodhall	George Frederick	Survived	View Details
Woodhall	Percy	Survived	No further information available.
Woodhall	Sydney	Died	View Details
Woodhall	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Woodvine	George Orlando	Survived	View Details
Woodvine	Thomas Jnr.	Survived	View Details
Woodvine	William	Survived	View Details
Woodward	Frank	Died	View Details
Woodward	John	Survived	View Details
Woodward	Thomas	Died	View Details
Woollam	Frederick John	Survived	View Details
Woollam	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Woolley	Alfred James	Survived	View Details
Wormington	Walter	Survived	View Details
Worthington	Samuel	Died	View Details
Wragg	Alfred	Died	View Details
Wragg	William	Survived	View Details
Wrench	Philip Sydney	Survived	View Details
Wright	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Wright	John Fred	Died	View Details
Wright	Wilfred	Died	View Details
Wyatt	George Gilbert	Survived	View Details
Wyatt	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Wynn	Bernard	Survived	View Details
Wynn	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Wynne	Joseph Lewis	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with V

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter V. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Vale	Ernest Percival William	Died	View Details
Vaughan	John Frederick	Survived	View Details
Vaughan	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Vaughan	Tom	Died	View Details
Vaughan	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Vawdrey	Gilbert Lloyd	Died	View Details
Venables	Arthur Malcolm	Survived	View Details
Venables	Harry Jack	Died	View Details
Venables	Wilfred	Died	View Details
Vickers	Charles	Died	View Details
Vickers	Charles Frederick	Survived	View Details
Vickers	George Edmund	Died	View Details
Viggor	Frank	Died	View Details
Vincent	Walter John	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with T

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter T. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Talbott	Robert Thomas	Survived	View Details
Tapley	William	Died	View Details
Taylor	Archibald John Cyril	Survived	View Details
Taylor	Arthur Edwin	Survived	View Details
Taylor	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Taylor	Francis Hemmingsley	Survived	View Details
Taylor	George Caldecott	Died	View Details
Taylor	George Harold	Survived	View Details
Taylor	Henry Norman	Died	View Details
Taylor	John Richard	Died	View Details
Taylor	John William	Died	View Details
Taylor	Thomas	Survived	Did not serve in WW1.
Tew	Frank	Survived	View Details
Tew	Leonard	Died	View Details
Thelwell	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Thelwell	James	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Albert Edward	Died	View Details
Thomas	Arthur Leonard	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Charlie	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Clement	Died	View Details
Thomas	Clifford	Survived	Did not serve in WW1.
Thomas	Edgar Richard	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Frederick	Died	View Details
Thomas	Harry	Died	View Details
Thomas	James	Survived	View Details
Thomas	John William	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Philip Henry	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Richard	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Thomas William	Survived	View Details
Thomas	Walter	Died	View Details
Thomas	George	Survived	View Details
Thompson	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Thompson	William	Survived	View Details
Thornton	Harry	Survived	Did not serve in WW1.
Thornton	William Jnr.	Survived	View Details
Timmis	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Tinsley	John William	Died	View Details
Tomkinson	Evan	Survived	No further information available.
Tomlinson	William Joseph	Died	View Details
Travers	Thomas	Survived	Did not serve in WW1.
Travers	Thomas	Died	View Details
Treadwell	Edward Jabez Cooper	Died	View Details
Trelfa	Nathan	Died	View Details
Trickett	Reginald Arthur	Died	View Details
Tudor	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Turner	Jesse George	Died	View Details
Twiss	Thomas William	Died	View Details
Tyler	Leonard Charles	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with S

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter S. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Sadler	Herbert Samuel	Died	View Details
Sadler	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Sandbach	Hugh Handley	Died	View Details
Sanders	William Price	Died	View Details
Sandford	John	Died	Did not serve in WW1; died in 1897
Sandland	Percy	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged 4 March 1910
Sands	Allen	Died	View Details
Sargeant	George Matthew	Survived	View Details
Scott	William	Died	View Details
Scriven	John R	Died	View Details
Severn	Ernest	Died	View Details
Shackleton	John William	Survived	View Details
Sharples	John Edward	Died	View Details
Sharps	Richard	Died	View Details
Shaw	Charles Herbert	Died	View Details
Shenton	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Sherbrook	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Sherbrooke	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Shone	Leighton Edward	Survived	View Details
Shone	Phillip	Died	View Details
Shone	William Walters	Survived	View Details
Shore	Frederick	Died	View Details
Shovelton	James	Died	View Details
Simister	Richard James	Survived	View Details
Simmonds	Arthur Thomas	Died	View Details
Simmonds	William	Survived	View Details
Simmons	James Henry	Survived	View Details
Simon	George Percy	Survived	View Details
Simon	James Henry	Died	View Details
Simpson	Arthur William	Survived	View Details
Simpson	Richard	Died	View Details
Skerratt	William	Survived	View Details
Slack	Richard	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the war starting
Slater	Frederick Henry	Survived	View Details
Slawson	Robert	Survived	View Details
Slawson	William	Survived	View Details
Slawson	Wright Graves	Died	View Details
Smith	Edward	Died	View Details
Smith	Frank	Survived	View Details
Smith	Frederick Thomas	Survived	Did not serve in WW1
Smith	Frederick Thomas	Died	View Details
Smith	James Glendenning	Died	View Details
Smith	Joseph Henry	Survived	View Details
Smith	Joseph Henry	Died	View Details
Smith	Reginald Joseph	Survived	View Details
Smith	Walter	Died	View Details
Smith	William	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; deserted in 1885
Somerset	Claud	Survived	View Details
Sparkes	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Sparkes	Harry	Died	View Details
Speakes	George	Died	View Details
Speakman	Edwin	Died	View Details
Speakman	John	Survived	View Details
Speed	Ernest	Died	View Details
Speed	George	Survived	View Details
Speed	John	Survived	View Details
Speed	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Speed	Walter John	Survived	View Details
Spencer	Herbert	Died	View Details
Spencer	Thomas Harry	Survived	View Details
Stanley	Charles Henry	Survived	View Details
Stanworth	Moses	Survived	View Details
Starkey	Francis	Survived	View Details
Steele	Arthur Beech	Died	View Details
Steele	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Stevens	Geoffrey	Died	View Details
Stevenson	Arthur	Survived	No further information available
Stevenson	Edward	Died	View Details
Stevenson	John	Died	View Details
Stevenson	Joseph	Died	View Details
Stevenson	Wilfred	Died	View Details
Stewart	Robert Brock	Died	View Details
Stickland	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Stockley	Richard	Died	View Details
Stockton	Albert	Survived	View Details
Stockton	John Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Stockton	William	Died	View Details
Stockton	William Edgar	Survived	View Details
Stockton	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Street	Alfred Reuben	Survived	View Details
Stubbs	James	Survived	View Details
Stubbs	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Stubbs	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Sudlow	Richard	Survived	View Details
Suker	Arthur John	Survived	View Details
Suker	Charles Lloyd	Survived	View Details
Suker	Gordon Edwin	Survived	View Details
Suker	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Summers	Alfred Spencer Mason	Died	View Details
Summers	Charles John	Died	View Details
Sumner	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Sumner	John	Died	View Details
Sumner	Richard	Survived	View Details
Sumner	Samuel	Survived	No further information available
Sumner	Walter	Died	View Details
Sumner	William	Survived	View Details
Sutcliffe	Charles Major	Survived	View Details
Sutton	Joseph Henry	Survived	View Details
Sutton	Stephen	Died	View Details
Sutton	Walter Dilworth	Died	View Details
Swanwick	Joseph	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with R

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter R. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Ralphs	Charles	Died	View Details
Ralphs	John Charles	Survived	View Details
Ralphs	Stephen James	Survived	View Details
Ratcliffe	John	Died	View Details
Reay	William	Survived	View Details
Reece	Edward	Died	View Details
Reeves	George	Survived	View Details
Reeves	John	Died	View Details
Reid	Arthur Henry	Survived	View Details
Reynolds	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Reynolds	Godfrey	Died	View Details
Reynolds	Percy Ridgway	Survived	View Details
Richards	Henry Willasey Brookes	Survived	View Details
Richards	John	Died	View Details
Richards	John William Brookes	Died	View Details
Richards	William Lee Brookes	Died	View Details
Richardson	Charles John	Died	View Details
Richardson	Harry	Survived	View Details
Richardson	John	Died	View Details
Richardson	Walter	Survived	No further information available
Ridgway	Alfred	Died	View Details
Ridgway	Clement Sandland	Survived	View Details
Ridgway	John Samuel	Survived	View Details
Ridgway	Josiah Ernest	Survived	View Details
Ridgway	Robert Hales	Died	View Details
Ridgway	William	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Albert Henry	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Alfred	Died	View Details
Roberts	Alfred Darlington	Died	View Details
Roberts	Arthur	Died	View Details
Roberts	Charles	Survived	View Details
Roberts	David	Died	View Details
Roberts	Edward Thomas	Died	View Details
Roberts	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Frederick Leslie Barry	Died	View Details
Roberts	George Frederick	Survived	View Details
Roberts	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Roberts	John	Survived	No further information available
Roberts	John	Died	View Details
Roberts	Joseph Arthur	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Joseph Edgar	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Richard Thomas	Survived	View Details
Roberts	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Roberts	William	Died	View Details
Roberts	William John	Survived	View Details
Robertson	James Kendrick	Survived	View Details
Robinson	Albion Ovington	Survived	View Details
Robinson	George Lancaster	Died	View Details
Robinson	William Ben	Survived	View Details
Robinson	William Kennedy	Survived	View Details
Roche	Thomas	Died	View Details
Roden	John	Died	View Details
Rodgers	Edward	Survived	View Details
Rodgers	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Rogers	Edwin Davies	Survived	View Details
Rogers	Gerald William	Died	View Details
Rogers	Thomas William	Survived	View Details
Roles	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Roles	Cyril Cedric	Died	View Details
Roles	Noel Jack	Survived	View Details
Rolfe	Ernest Albert	Survived	View Details
Rowe	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Rowe	William	Survived	View Details
Rowlands	Charles	Survived	View Details
Rowlands	Harry	Survived	View Details
Rowlands	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Ruth	Charles William	Died	View Details
Ryan	Patrick	Survived	View Details
Rycroft	Richard John Edge	Died	View Details
Ryder	Peter William	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with P

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter P. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Pace	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Paddington	Thomas Harry	Survived	View Details
Palin	Albert	Died	View Details
Palin	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Pappin	Henry Charles	Survived	View Details
Parker	Alfred John	Died	View Details
Parker	George	Died	View Details
Parker	Herbert	Died	View Details
Parker	Leonard	Died	View Details
Parker	William	Survived	View Details
Parker	William	Died	View Details
Parry	Arthur	Died	View Details
Parry	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Parry	Richard Herbert Vaughan	Survived	View Details
Parton	Harold John	Survived	View Details
Pass	Frank	Died	View Details
Passant	John	Survived	View Details
Pate	Harry	Died	View Details
Peake	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Pearce	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Pearce	John Harry	Died	View Details
Pearce	Robert Rollo	Survived	View Details
Pearson	Charles Hesketh	Survived	View Details
Pearson	Frederick Phillips	Died	View Details
Pearson	George Newsom	Survived	View Details
Peirson	Alfred Charles Grays	Died	View Details
Pemberton	Wilfred Harry	Survived	View Details
Penk	James	Survived	View Details
Penlington	John Henry	Survived	View Details
Pennell	John Robert	Survived	View Details
Perks	Charles	Died	View Details
Perry	John Andrew	Survived	View Details
Perry	John Abraham Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Phillips	Arthur	Died	View Details
Phillips	Edward	Survived	View Details
Phillips	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Phillips	George Frederick	Died	View Details
Phillips	John	Survived	View Details
Phillips	John	Died	View Details
Phillips	Sydney	Survived	View Details
Phillips	Thomas	Died	View Details
Phillips	Wilfred George	Survived	View Details
Phillips	William Arthur	Died	View Details
Phillips	William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Pickering	John Edward	Survived	View Details
Pidduck	Charles Cresswell	Survived	View Details
Pidduck	Henry Barratt	Survived	View Details
Pidduck	Reginald Boothroyd	Survived	View Details
Piercy	Benjamin	Survived	View Details
Piggott	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Pilsbury	Charles Frederick	Survived	View Details
Pim	Francis Joseph	Died	View Details
Plant	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Pointon	George Henry	Died	View Details
Polkinghorne	Edward Hugh	Survived	View Details
Pond	George John	Survived	View Details
Porter	Albert Edward	Survived	View Details
Porter	Charles Harold	Survived	View Details
Porter	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Porter	George Edward	Survived	View Details
Porter	George Harry	Survived	View Details
Porter	Reginald	Survived	View Details
Pover	William	Survived	View Details
Powell	Abel	Died	View Details
Powell	Albert T	Died	View Details
Powell	Charles Samuel	Survived	View Details
Powell	Clarence George	Died	View Details
Powell	Edwin	Died	View Details
Powell	George	Died	View Details
Powell	Henry	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged in 1910
Powell	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Powell	John	Survived	View Details
Powell	John	Died	View Details
Powell	Richard Rowland	Survived	View Details
Powell	Thomas Arthur	Survived	View Details
Powell	Thomas Frederick	Survived	View Details
Preston	Colin	Died	View Details
Price	George William	Died	View Details
Price	John	Died	View Details
Price	John James	Survived	View Details
Price	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Price	Walter	Survived	View Details
Price	William Segrove	Survived	View Details
Prince	Harry	Survived	View Details
Prince	John Junr.	Survived	View Details
Prince	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Prince	William	Survived	View Details
Pritchard	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Pritchard	William	Survived	View Details
Prodger	Alfred Ernest	Died	View Details
Prodger	Joseph Thomas	Survived	View Details
Pugh	Ernest Sayce	Survived	View Details
Pugh	James	Survived	No further information available.
Purcell	Harold	Died	View Details
Purcell	John Abel	Survived	View Details
Purcell	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Purcell	Leonard Walter	Survived	View Details
Purcell	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Purcell	William George	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with O

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter O. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
O'Connor	William George Prittie	Survived	View Details
O'Hara	Bernard Michael	Survived	View Details
O'Leary	John	Survived	No further information available
O'Neill	Michael	Survived	View Details
O'Neill	Patrick	Survived	View Details
O'Neill	William Boyle	Survived	View Details
Oakley	George	Survived	View Details
Oliver	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Oliver	James	Survived	View Details
Oliver	Percy	Died	View Details
Oliver	William	Survived	View Details
Oliver	William Stephen	Survived	View Details
Oulton	Douglas Arthur	Died	View Details
Oulton	Frank	Survived	View Details
Ouseley	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Ouseley	Harry	Survived	View Details
Owen	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Owen	Arthur Thomas	Died	View Details
Owen	David	Survived	View Details
Owen	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Owen	Philip Charles	Died	View Details
Owen	Robert	Survived	View Details
Owen	William	Died	View Details
Owens	Samuel	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with N

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter N. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Nash	Edwin	Died	View Details
Nelson	William	Survived	View Details
Newall	Jack Hainsworth Maxwell	Died	View Details
Newbrook	Cecil John	Survived	View Details
Newbrook	Charles	Survived	View Details
Newbrook	Ernest Edward	Survived	View Details
Newbrook	Fred	Survived	View Details
Newbrook	John	Died	View Details
Newbrook	Ralph Drake	Died	View Details
Newbrook	Stanley Victor	Died	View Details
Newbrook	William	Survived	View Details
Newbrook	William	Survived	View Details
Nicholls	John William	Died	View Details
Norris	Alec	Died	View Details
Norris	Frank	Survived	View Details
Norton	Frederick Parkinson	Survived	View Details
Nunnerley	Archer Topham	Survived	View Details
Nunnerley	Arthur	Died	View Details
Nutter	Frederick George	Survived	View Details
Nutter	Thomas	Died	View Details
Nye	Ernest Edward	Survived	View Details
Nye	William	Died	View Details

Philip Sydney Wrench

Personal Details

Born: 17 May 1893 in Utkinton, Cheshire and baptised 2 July 1893 in the Parish of Tarporley.

Family: He was the son of John Wrench, a labourer, and his wife Mary, nee Hassell. He married Agnes Ethel Dodd in 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had five children, Harold, Ethel, Eric, Phyllis and Margaret.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his aunt and uncle at 18 Ernest Street, Warrington. Cheshire. By 1911 and now working his address was The Grange, Iddensall, Tarporley, Cheshire. From at least 1922 until 1929 he and his family were living at 40 Minshull New Road, Crewe, Cheshire, but by 1939 his home was 36 Havelock Street, Crewe.

Employment: In 1911 he was a cowman on a farm. By 1920 he was employed as a labourer with the London and North West Railway Company. He was still working for the Company in 1939 when he was a loco machinist.

Died: 23 March 1957 in Crewe, Cheshire, aged 63.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 91030

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Philip was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William Williams

Personal Details

Born: In 1893 in Norbury, Cheshire and baptised Joseph William on 5 November the same year in Marbury Parish Church, Cheshire. He was also known as William Joseph Williams.

Family: He was the son of Joseph Williams, a farm labourer, and his wife Emily. No marriage can be confirmed for William.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family in Bickley, Cheshire; in 1911 he was a live-in servant at The Holtridge, Norbury. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register had an address of 22 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch for him.

Employment: In 1911 he was a cow boy.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: W/5244

Date of Enlistment: Prior to 25 December 1915

Date of Discharge: After 1 June 1918

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: He was wounded in 1918 and entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Herbert Powell

Personal Details

Born: 23 July 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 27 August at St Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fifth child born to Henry Powell, a tailor, and his wife Emma. He married Alice Emily Florence Hood in 1912 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Herbert P. and Arthur H.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1886 his family were living at Virgins Inn, Chester Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. They were still in Chester Road in 1891 but by 1901 the family had moved to Nantwich Road, Whitchurch. In 1911 Herbert was living with his widowed mother at White Cottage, Cemetery Road, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register showed an address of 13b Bark Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 his address was 87 Holgate Road, Nottingham; this continued to be his home until his death in 1942.

Employment: In 1901 he was a grocer`s apprentice and in 1911 a jobbing gardener. He was still a gardener in 1939.

Died: 4 January 1942 in Nottingham, aged 55.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M/341452

Date of Enlistment: Not known, but possibly some time after 31 August 1917

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Herbert was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Herbert William Morris

Personal Details

Born: Birth registered in Market Drayton, Shropshire during first quarter of 1880 .

Family: He was the eldest of seven children born to Henry & Alice Morris. In 1906 Herbert married Margaret Ellen Whittingham, the marriage being registered in Market Drayton. The couple had seven children: Frederick Herbert, Ronald, Violet May, Harold, Douglas E, Edith E, and Edgar J.

Residence: In 1881 the family were living in the Hodnet area and continued to do so until at least 1901. Herbert and Ellen remained in the same area, their address in 1911 being given as 7 Drayton Road, Wollerton, Market Drayton. Shropshire. The Absent Voters list of 1919 lists his address as 3 Claypit Street, Whitchurch. By 1939 Herbert, along with his wife and daughter Edith, was living at 20 Bentley’s Road, Market Drayton.

Employment: The 1901 Census lists Herbert’s occupation as that of a farmer’s son. Ten years later he was working as a farm labourer and in 1939 he was employed as a general labourer.

Died: In 1963 aged 83, the death being registered in Whitchurch.

Other Information: It has not been categorically proved that the Herbert William Morris listed as living at 3 Claypit Street in 1919 was the same person as referred to above, but it would seem highly likely.

Richard Nash Pearson

Personal Details

Born: 10 September 1878 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 9 October the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth of seven children born to Richard Pearson, a bank manager, and his wife Annie (nee Newsom). No marriage can be traced for Richard.

Residence: In 1881 he lived with his family at 25 Leicester Street, Leicester; by 1891 they had moved to Market Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. In 1901 Richard would have been serving in the Boer War in South Africa.

Employment: In 1900, when enlisting he gave his occupation as a mining engineer.

Died: In 1941 in Valparaiso, Chile, aged 63.

Charles Mann

Personal Details

Born: 1 August 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 20 August 1893 at the Unitarian Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth of six surviving children born to Thomas Mann, a labourer, and his wife Mary Ann. He married Amy May Goodwin in 1919 in Colchester, Essex. The couple had three children, Charles Arthur, Wilfred and Henry Thomas John.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1893 his family were living at Venables Yard, Whitchurch. By 1901 they had moved to 17 Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch. An address of 6 Harma Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, Lancashire was given for him in 1914 on his military documents. In 1939 he, his wife and children were living at 23 Sun Street, Prestwich, Manchester, Lancashire.

Employment: In 1914 he was a labourer. His occupation in 1939 was an engine driver in a paper mill.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (previously Hussars)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 41980 (previously 12438)

Date of Enlistment: 28 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 13 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, John William, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

John William Jones

Personal Details

Born: 13 July 1892 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 5 October the same year in St Alkmund’s Parish Church in Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of three children born to Mary Jones. He married Daisy Adkins in 1919 in Nantwich, Cheshire and together they had two children – Clifford William and John Thomas.

Residence: At the time of his baptism John and his mother were living in Folly Lane, Whitchurch. Nine years later the family were living in Bluegates, Whitchurch. In 1911 they had moved to 35 Yardington, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows an address of 46 Yardington. In 1939 he was living with his wife and children at 133 Claughton Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1939 he was a locomotive fitter’s assistant.

Died: In 1963 in Crewe, aged 71.

Bernard Griffiths

Personal Details

Born: 21 May 1897 in Willington, Flintshire, Wales and baptised 20 June the same year in Hanmer Parish Church.

Family: He was the fifth of seven children born to John Griffiths, a domestic coachman, and his wife Emma Oulton. No marriage can be confirmed for Bernard.

Residence: In 1901 he lived in The Lane, Willington, Ellesmere, Shropshire; in 1911 he lived at Gelli Farm, near Malpas, Cheshire where he continued to live until at least 1939.

Employment: In 1939 he was a dairy farmer.

Died: In 1969 at St. Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales, aged 71.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 230159 (previously 1724)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Bernard was taken prisoner of war in October 1918 and released in December 1918.

Medals and Awards

Bernard was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Thomas Ernest Gill

Personal Details

Born: 1879 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: His grandparents who brought him up were Henry and Frances Gill (his parents are not known). He married Mary Ellen Cliffe in 1902 in Wem, Shropshire; no children can be confirmed for the marriage.

Residence: In 1881 and 1891 he was living with his grandparents in Green End, Whitchurch. In 1901 he was serving in South Africa (Boer War). In 1911 and married he was living at 8 St. Mary’s Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a carter.

Died: In 1938 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, aged 59.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 6858

Date of Enlistment: 1914

Date of Discharge: 29 March 1917

Reason for Discharge: Wounded

Other Information: Gunshot wound to face on 12 April 1917; entitled to wear a wound stripe. He served in the Boer War (King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Private 7291 and previously 3075)

Medals and Awards

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

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

James Edwards

Personal Details

Born: In 1897 in Bronington, Flintshire and baptised 28 March 1897 in Bronington Parish Church.

Family: He was the eighth of nine children born to Evan Edwards, the manager of a brickworks, and his wife Sarah. He married Dorothy Hewitt in 1924 in Whitchurch and together they had four children – James H, Denis G, Gwendoline M and Brian A.

Residence: At the time of his baptism and in 1901 James was living with his parents and siblings at Fenns Bank Brick and Tile Works, Fenns Bank, Flintshire. By 1911 his family and widowed mother had moved to 45 Claypit Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. On his Pension Ledger an address of 20 Brownlow Street, Whitchurch was entered, this was the home of his mother, Sarah. In 1939 he was living at Dovedale, Crook Lane, Winsford, Chehsire; at the time of his death in 1948 his home was 28 Newfield Drive, Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1939 he was a newspaper reporter.

Died: 6 November 1948 in Crewe, Cheshire, aged 51, and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 10 November the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Notts and Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 241556 (previously 4529)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Three of James’ brothers, Alfred, John and Walter also served in WW1. Alfred died on 21 November 1918 in Ireland.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

James Edwards

Personal Details

Born: 1873 in Silverdale, Staffordshire.

Family: He was one of at least six children born to Thomas Edwards, a miner, and his wife Hannah, nee Yearsley. He married Mary Ann Lloyd on 17 May 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 the couple had six children – Gladys O, Thomas, Hannah, Edith, James and Dorothy. It is possible that another three children were born to them between 1912 and 1921.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his mother, now widowed, and his siblings at Pipe Gate, Woore, Shropshire. Ten years later he was a lodger at 75 Wybunbury Road, Willaston, Cheshire. In 1901 and now married, his address 3 Chapel Street, Wem, Shropshire. By 1911 he and his family had moved to 20 Newtown Street, Whitchurch. This was also the address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List. At the time of his death in 1930 his home was given as 18 Newtown Street.

Employment: He was a joiner until at least 1911.

Died: 30 June 1930 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 57, and was buried on 3 July the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

John Alexander Dawson

Personal Details

Born: 13 September 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of five surviving children born to Herbert Dawson, a cycle agent and private hotel keeper, and his wife Agnes Maud. He married Gladys Smith in 1924 in the Wem registration district of Shropshire. The couple had two children, Margaret H and John M.

Residence: In 1901 John was living with his parents and siblings at 18 Station Road, Whitchurch. Ten years later the family had moved to 16 Station Road. By 1939, married and with two children, his address was Moss View, Ash Road, near Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 John was a dairy farmer, this continued to be his occupation until his retirement.

Died: 1995 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, aged 96.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 26608 (previously 2050)

Date of Enlistment: 7 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 8 June 1917, moved to Class P

Reason for Discharge: Wounded

Other Information: His brothers, Joseph William and Herbert Arthur, also fought in WW1. Herbert was killed in action in Belgium on 10 November 1917 and is commemorated on the Whitchurch War Memorial.

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals) and Silver War Badge (number 205379)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

John Dawson

Personal Details

Born: In 1877 in Barnstaple, Devon and baptised 4 November 1877 in Georgeham Parish Church, Devon.

Family: He was the fifth of eight children born to Edward Ellis Dawson, a policemen, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Frances Mary Berry on 3 September 1902 in Newton Abbott, Devon and together they had two children – Allen and Edmund.

Residence: In 1881 he was living at the County Constabulary Cottage, King’s Nympton, South Molton, Devon; by 1891 the family had moved to the Police Station, Fore Street, Plymton Maurice, Plympton St Mary, Devon. By 1901 they were living at 22 Neswick Street, Plymouth, Devon. Having married, in 1911 he was living with his wife and children at Keepers Cottage, Corra Common, Calverhall, Whitchurch, Shropshire, where they continued to live until at least 1939.

Employment: In 1901 he was a grocer shop assistant; in 1911 he was a gamekeeper, an occupation he continued until at least 1939.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Grenadier Guards

Rank: Private

Service Number: 23402

Date of Enlistment: 1 March 1915

Date of Discharge: 31 March 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals) and the Military Medal

Campaign Medals

Military Medal

Mark Brookes

Personal Details

Born: Birth registered during the second quarter of 1881 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 5 June the same year at Tilstock Church, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second child of James & Sarah Brookes, his older brother being called William. In 1909 Mark married Jane Ann Hotchkiss, the marriage being registered in Whitchurch.

Residence: At the time of Mark’s baptism the family were living in Heath Lane, near Tilstock. Ten years later, in 1891, the family had moved into Tilstock village. By 1901 they had moved again and their address was 12 Barkhill, Whitchurch. The 1911 census records Mark and his wife of two years living with her parents at 39 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch and this was the same address listed on the 1919 Absent Voters list. He remained living at this address until his death in 1940.

Employment: In 1911 he was working as a baker. By 1934 he was in partnership with Reginald Crewe as a grocer, with premises in Alkington Road. The 1939 Register lists him as a bread-baker.

Died: Aged 58 in 1940 and was buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 19 February the same year.

William Thomas Brookes

Personal Details

Born: 27 March 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He married Margaret Blaylock in 1916 in Carlisle, Cumbria and together they had four children – Margaret, William T, Dorothy R and an unnamed male child.

Residence: The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 47 Talbot Street, Whitchurch; his medal card has a 1923 address of 9 Robert Street, Carlisle. In 1939 he was living at 1 Carrick’s Court, Lord Street, Carlisle.

Employment: In 1939 he was a plasterer’s labourer.

Died: In 1966 in Carlisle, aged 67.

Military Details

Regiment: South Lancashire Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 37912

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Military Personnel – surnames starting with M

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter M. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Madders	Edward	Survived	View Details
Maddock	Thomas William	Survived	View Details
Maddocks	Bertram Leonard	Survived	View Details
Maddocks	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Maddocks	John	Died	View Details
Maddocks	John Hassall	Survived	View Details
Maddocks	Joseph	Died	View Details
Maddocks	Thomas	Died	View Details
Maddocks	William	Died	View Details
Maddox	Walter	Died	View Details
Madeley	Frank	Survived	View Details
Madeley	James	Survived	View Details
Madeley	John Johnson	Survived	View Details
Madeley	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Madeley	William Alfred	Survived	View Details
Mainwaring	Henry Charles Samuel Blantern	Survived	View Details
Malam	Frank	Survived	View Details
Malam	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Manford	William	Died	View Details
Mann	Charles	Survived	View Details
Mann	John William	Survived	View Details
Mannion	John	Survived	View Details
Mannion	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Mansell	Joseph Henry	Died	View Details
Marsh	Samuel	Died	View Details
Martin	Harold James Philip	Survived	View Details
Matheson	John	Died	View Details
Matthews	Benjamin	Survived	View Details
Matthews	George	Died	View Details
Matthews	John Ashley	Survived	View Details
Matthews	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Matthews	William	Died	View Details
McIlwaine	Rowland	Survived	View Details
McIntyre	Archibald Maltman	Died	View Details
McMichael	John	Died	View Details
Meachin	Harry	Survived	View Details
Mellor	George Samuel	Survived	View Details
Mellor	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Mellor	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Mellor	Percy George	Survived	View Details
Mellor	Thomas	Died	View Details
Mellor	William	Died	View Details
Mercer	John	Died	View Details
Meredith	Robert Henry	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; enlisted in the RAF after the end of the war
Middleton	George Henry	Died	View Details
Millier	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Millington	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Millington	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Mitchell	Bernard	Survived	View Details
Moffatt	Rev Andrew Umphray	Survived	View Details
Moody	Charles Angelo	Died	View Details
Moore	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Moore	Thomas	Died	View Details
Morgan	Albert	Died	View Details
Morgan	George Edward	Survived	View Details
Morgan	George Graham	Survived	View Details
Morgan	John Noble	Survived	View Details
Morgan	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Morrey	Jack	Died	No further information available
Morris	Harry	Survived	View Details
Morris	Herbert William	Survived	View Details
Morris	John Thomas Purcell	Survived	View Details
Morris	Solomon	Survived	View Details
Mort	William	Died	View Details
Moseley	Vincent	Survived	View Details
Moss	James	Survived	View Details
Moss	James Henry	Died	View Details
Mottram	George	Survived	View Details
Mottram	Reginald	Survived	View Details
Mottram	Walter	Survived	View Details
Moulson	Walter Henry	Died	View Details
Mulliner	William Albert	Survived	View Details
Mullock	Jack	Died	View Details
Mullock	Sidney	Died	View Details
Murden	Charles George	Survived	View Details
Murden	Sidney	Survived	View Details
Murhall	William Thomas	Died	View Details
Murray	Frank	Survived	View Details
Murray	John Robert	Died	View Details
Murray	Thomas	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with L

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter L. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Lamb	Harry	Died	View Details
Lambert	William	Survived	No further information available
Langford	Bertram	Survived	View Details
Langford	George	Died	View Details
Langford	Hugh Brett	Survived	View Details
Langford	Walter	Died	View Details
Langhorn	James Isaac	Died	View Details
Large	Alfred Edwin Robert	Survived	View Details
Latham	Heneage	Died	View Details
Latham	Herbert Stanley	Died	View Details
Latham	Samuel Colton	Survived	View Details
Laycock	William	Survived	View Details
Lea	Isaiah	Survived	View Details
Lea	John	Survived	View Details
Lea	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Lea	William Henry	Died	View Details
Ledsham	Alfred Pyne	Survived	View Details
Lee	Charles Henry	Survived	View Details
Lee	Eric Hanson	Died	View Details
Lee	Geoffrey Mountain	Survived	View Details
Lee	John Arthur	Died	View Details
Lee	Philip Warburton	Died	View Details
Leek	Frank	Died	View Details
Lewis	Frank	Survived	View Details
Lewis	George Herbert	Survived	View Details
Lewis	John Grant	Died	View Details
Lewis	Leonard Charles	Died	View Details
Lewis	Robert Joseph	Survived	View Details
Lewis	Thomas Stanley	Died	View Details
Lievesley	Charles	Survived	View Details
Lightfoot	Charles	Died	View Details
Lister	William	Survived	View Details
Little	Albert Charles	Survived	View Details
Little	Harold	Survived	View Details
Lloyd	Edward	Survived	View Details
Lloyd	Frank	Survived	View Details
Lloyd	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Lloyd	Oswald	Died	View Details
Lloyd	William John	Survived	View Details
Loftus	Thomas Martin	Survived	View Details
Lomas	Edgar Henry	Survived	View Details
Loughmon	George Albert	Died	View Details
Love	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Lovegrove	Albert Allen	Survived	View Details
Lucas	John	Survived	View Details
Lucas	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Lunt	John	Died	View Details
Lunt	William Alfred	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with K

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter K. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Kavanagh	Matthew	Died	View Details
Keay	Ernest James	Died	View Details
Keenan	Martin	Died	View Details
Kelly	Frank Edmund	Survived	View Details
Kelly	John Edward	Died	View Details
Kelly	John James	Died	View Details
Kelly	Peter Cecil	Survived	View Details
Kelsall	John Ernest	Died	View Details
Kendall	John Robert	Died	View Details
Kerry	Alec	Died	View Details
Kinvig	Robert Frederick	Died	View Details
Kirkby	Clifford Pennell	Survived	View Details
Kneale	John Francis	Died	View Details
Knight	Albert Henry	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with J

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter J. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Jackson	Charles	Survived	View Details
Jackson	Charles	Died	View Details
Jackson	Charles Greville	Survived	View Details
Jackson	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Jackson	George	Survived	View Details
Jackson	John	Died	View Details
Jackson	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Jackson	William Oswald	Survived	View Details
James	Clement Henry	Survived	View Details
Jarman	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Jarvis	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Jenks	Edwin Charles	Survived	View Details
Jenks	Thomas William Percy	Survived	View Details
John	James Harold	Died	View Details
John	William Morris	Survived	View Details
Johnson	Frederick Moffatt	Survived	View Details
Johnson	John	Died	View Details
Johnson	Matthew	Died	View Details
Johnson	Walter Winfred	Survived	View Details
Jones	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Jones	Amos	Survived	View Details
Jones	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Jones	Arthur	Died	View Details
Jones	Charles	Died	View Details
Jones	Charles	Survived	View Details
Jones	Charles Haddon	Survived	View Details
Jones	Charles William	Survived	View Details
Jones	Edward	Survived	View Details
Jones	Edward Barrow	Survived	View Details
Jones	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Jones	Ernest	Died	View Details
Jones	Ernest William	Died	View Details
Jones	Francis Herbert	Died	View Details
Jones	Frank	Survived	View Details
Jones	Frederick Stanley	Survived	View Details
Jones	George	Survived	View Details
Jones	George Frederick	Died	View Details
Jones	George Richard	Survived	View Details
Jones	George Robert	Survived	View Details
Jones	Harold	Died	View Details
Jones	Harry	Died	View Details
Jones	Henry	Died	View Details
Jones	Herbert Henry	Died	View Details
Jones	John	Died	View Details
Jones	John Ernest George	Survived	View Details
Jones	John Henry	Died	View Details
Jones	John Owen	Died	View Details
Jones	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Jones	John William	Survived	View Details
Jones	John William	Survived	View Details
Jones	Joseph Henry	Survived	View Details
Jones	Joseph	Died	View Details
Jones	Joseph George	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Jones	Lemuel Godfrey Ffoulkes	Survived	View Details
Jones	Oliver	Died	View Details
Jones	P	Died	Commemorated on the Tallarn Green memorial; no further information available
Jones	Reginald Edwin	Survived	View Details
Jones	Robert C	Survived	View Details
Jones	Robert	Survived	201296 KSLI; no further information available
Jones	Sydney Lloyd	Survived	View Details
Jones	Thomas Bagley	Died	View Details
Jones	Thomas Harold Ffoulkes	Survived	View Details
Jones	Thomas Ivan	Died	View Details
Jones	Victor	Died	View Details
Jones	W	Died	Commemorated on the Tallarn Green memorial; no further information available
Jones	Walter	Survived	View Details
Jones	William	Survived	View Details
Jones	William Charles	Survived	View Details
Jones	William Edward	Survived	View Details
Jones	William Price	Survived	View Details
Jopling	Percy William	Survived	View Details
Joyce	Arthur Bernard	Died	View Details
Joyce	Horace William	Survived	View Details
Joyce	Stanley Beckett	Survived	View Details
Joyce	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Joyce	Walter Dennis	Survived	View Details
Judson	Thomas	Died	View Details
Jukes	Charles Dennis	Survived	View Details
Jukes	George Edward	Survived	View Details
Jukes	William Henry	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with I

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter I. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Ikin	Herbert William	Died	View Details
Ikin	Percy Garner	Died	View Details

Albert Willie Arnold

Personal Details

Born: 12 March 1893 in Shroton, Dorset and baptised 15 May the same year in Shroton Parish Church.

Family: He was the fifth of ten children born to Harry Arnold, an estate labourer, and his wife Ann. He married Susie Wright Moore on 26 February 1927 in Ilkston Parish Church, Derbyshire. No children can be confirmed for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family at Bessels, Iwerne Courtney, Courtney, Blandford, Dorset; by 1911 they had moved to Shroton Blandford, Iwerne Courtney. He declared his address in 1914 when enlisting as Coton Hall, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1927 when he married, his address was 23 York Avenue, Hanwell, London, W7; this remained his address until the time of his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was a motor cleaner; in 1914 he was a chauffeur and in 1939 he was a motor engineer.

Died: 5 January 1985 in Hanwell, aged 91.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 12389

Date of Enlistment: 7 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 1 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Suffered with malaria, wounded 18 September 1918. He was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

Albert was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Richard William Broomfield

Personal Details

Born: 10 June 1887 in Audlem, Cheshire and baptised on 10 July the same year in Burleydam Parish Church, Cheshire. He was also known with the surname Bromfield.

Family: He was one of nine surviving children born to John Broomfield, a farm labourer, and his wife Mary. He married Edith Davies on 7 April 1906 at Prescot Registry Office, Prescot, Lancashire. The couple had 5 children, Edward, Eliza Ann, John, Lilian Maud and George. Lilian and George were born in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Wilkesley, Cheshire. In 1891 they had moved to Hordley, Shropshire. In 1911 Richard was living at Combermere Stables, near Whitchurch, Shropshire; when he was discharged from the army his address was The Brook, Wem Lane, Wem, Shropshire. He married in 1921 in Farnham, Surrey and died in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a groom; when he enlisted in 1914 he was a gardener.

Died: In 1968 in Basingstoke, aged 80.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously Buckinghamshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 548800 (previously 15834)

Date of Enlistment: 27 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 12 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Jack Brownlie

Personal Details

Born: John Nason Brownlie on 7 January 1890 in Gayton, Cheshire and baptised on 28 July the same year in Gayton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.

Family: He was the second of three sons born to John Brownlie, a licensed victualler, and his wife Hannah. John senior died in 1897 and Hannah remarried to Arthur L Richardson; together they had two children, Jack’s half siblings. Jack married Amy Isabella Atherton in 1926 in West Derby, Lancashire and together they had one child, Ian.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Gayton; by 1891 they were living in the Gayton Cleggs Arms, Gayton Village, Wirral, Cheshire. In 1901 he was living in Dee View Road, Heswall, Cheshire and in 1911 at 28 Hertford Road, Bootle, Lancashire. In 1939 he lived at 46 Garden Lane, Fazackerley, Liverpool; this was his address at the time of his death in 1952.

Employment: In 1911 he was a clerk employed by Messrs Lee and Sharmlan, solicitors in Dodington, Whitchurch, Shropshire; in 1939 he was an insurance agent.

Died: 20 February 1952 at 107 Rice Lane, Liverpool, aged 62.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Liverpool (Scottish) Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 3207

Date of Enlistment: 31 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 26 July 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service

Other Information: Jack’s brother, Leonard Charles, was accidentally killed by a premature explosion of a grenade on 14 January 1916. Jack lost his right eye as a result of a shrapnel wound in 1915.

Medals and Awards

Jack was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (number 60171)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

John Burke

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously Royal Welsh Fusiliers)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 636148 (previously 15582)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: An article in the Whitchurch Herald dated 1 December 1917 identified John as a military deserter, having deserted in 1915.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Gordon William Baumken

Personal Details

Born: 21 March 1896 in Cape Town, South Africa*.

Family: Elder of two sons born to Gustav, a tailor and Daisy Baumken who married in London in 1895. On 26 November 1919 Gordon married Hannah Sarah Dorothy Pounds in Toronto, Canada. The couple had two children, a boy who died at 4 days old in January 1920 and a daughter Daisy born the following year.

Residence: In 1901 Daisy and her sons were staying as visitors in Battersea, London with the Shoesmith family. Ten years later the three were living in Pinner, Middlesex where Daisy was employed as a housekeeper. In 1914 Gordon was working, and presumably living-in, at Ash Grange, Ash, Whitchurch while his mother remained in St John’s Wood, London. By 1919 he had moved to Canada and was residing with his new wife in Jarvis Street, Toronto, Canada. In 1920 the family’s address was Pembroke Street and a year later, First Clair Avenue East, both still in Toronto. By 1921 Gordon’s mother Daisy was living in Canada with the family. Over forty years later, in 1963, Gordon and Hannah were listed on the electoral roll as living on Glen Everest Road, Toronto, Canada.

Employment: At age 14 Gordon was working as an assistant in a confectionery shop. By August 1914 he was employed as a footman for Lord Gerald Grosvenor. Five years later he was in Canada working as a valet but by 1921 he had become a conductor on the railways. In 1963 his occupation was that of chauffeur.

Died: Not known

Other Information: * This information is given on documents by his mother, however there is no evidence that Daisy & Gustav ever went to South Africa. Newspaper articles indicate that Gustav was less than truthful about his own origins.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 10693

Date of Enlistment: 12 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 13 January 1915

Reason for Discharge: Medically unfit

Medals and Awards

Gordon was awarded the Silver War Badge (no. 377,843)

Silver War Badge

Joseph Thomas Clive

Personal Details

Born: 1895 and baptised at St Alkmund’s Parish Church in Whitchurch on 1 November the same year.

Family: Joseph was the eldest of four children born to Thomas and Mary Clive. He married Eliza Price in Whitchurch in 1929. No children can be found from this marriage.

Residence: At the time of Joseph’s baptism the family were living at Fenns Bank, a small village near Whitchurch. The 1901 Census lists the family’s home as 5 Egerton Road, Whitchurch and ten years later as 46 Egerton Road. In 1915, when Joseph enlisted, the family address was given as 32 Egerton Road, Whitchurch and it was the same address on the 1919 Absent Voters’ list. In 1939 Joseph and his wife were living at 24 Talbot Crescent, Whitchurch and this was still Joseph’s address in 1984.

Employment: At the time of enlistment in 1915 Joseph’s occupation was given as railway porter. In 1939 he was a railway goods guard.

Died: In 1984 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch and buried in the town cemetery on 7 June that year.

Military Details

Regiment: Tank Corps (previously Royal Horse Artillery & Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Gunner /Private

Service Number: 110191 (previously 214944)

Date of Enlistment: 19/11/1915 mobilised 07/03/1917

Date of Discharge: 29/11/1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: In June 1919 he was part of the Army of the Rhine with the rank of acting Lance Corporal.

Medals and Awards

Joseph was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Patrick Burke

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 18980

Date of Enlistment: 4 October 1915

Date of Discharge: 7 July 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service.

Other Information: He served with the North Munster Fusiliers in the Boer War.

Medals and Awards

Patrick was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 8179015) on 17 May 1919.

Silver War Badge

William Thomas Crewe

Personal Details

Born: 27 June 1881 and baptised 15 July same year.

Family: Son of Alfred and Sarah Crewe and brother to Mary. In 1913 he married Joyce M Hughes in Atherstone, Warwickshire and together they had two children, William A and Vera J, both born in Whitchurch.

Residence: In both 1891 and 1901 the family were living at 17 Yardington Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 the family had relocated to 30 Park Road, also in Whitchurch. At the time of the 1939 Register Alfred and Joyce were living at 43 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: Census records state that at the age of 19 William was a postman and ten years later in 1911 he was still employed in the same job. The British Postal Service Appointment Books have entries for Wm Thos Crewe as an assistant postman in 1904 and as a postman in 1906. In the 1939 Register his occupation was listed as postman.

Died: 1969 in Whitchurch, aged 88.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 394165 (previously 24500)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William Gaughan

Personal Details

Born: 1867 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of at least seven children born to John Gaughan, a licenced hawker, and his wife, Ellen. Both of his parents were born in Ireland. No marriage can be found for William.

Residence: In 1871 his family were living in Folly Lane, Yardington, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Ten years later their address was Barlow`s Yard, Whitchurch. At the time of the 1891 Census William was serving with the British Army in Egypt. By 1901 he was back in Whitchurch and living at 144 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, the home of his sister Florence and her husband, James Gillespie. An address of 1 Church Street, Whitchurch was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List; this was the home of his father at the time of his death in 1916. It was also the address that his brother, John, gave on his Attestation document in 1915.

Employment: In 1881 his occupation was described as a tailor`s errand boy. He served for 12 years in the British Army from 1886 until his discharge in 1898. In 1901 he was a bricklayer`s labourer.

Died: In 1932 in North Manchester, Lancashire, aged 66 (possible).

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Liverpool Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 28377

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, John, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William Henry Eaton

Personal Details

Born: 1882 and baptised 29 June 1883.

Family: Eldest of seven children born to Alfred and Joanna Eaton. He married Lizzie Furber in 1913 in Whitchurch and together they had four children, Ellaline, Winifred, Bernard and Leonard.

Residence: In 1883 the family were living at Broughall, near Whitchurch. By the time of the 1891 census the family had moved to another outlying area of the town, Black Park. In 1901 William was living in at Moss Farm, Black Park. Ten years later he was back with his parents and siblings at 14 Castle Hill, Whitchurch. In 1933 he was residing with his wife and family at 9 Talbot Crescent, Whitchurch.

Employment: At age 18 William was working as a waggoner on a farm. Ten years later he was assisting his father in his carrier business and listed as a carter.

Died: In 1933 and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 15 April the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M2/181543

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Edwin Jackson

Personal Details

Born: 4 January 1899 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of eight children born to Joseph Jackson, a goods porter, and his wife Emma. He married Nellie Allman in 1921 in Whitchurch and together they had two children – Vera and Dennis.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at 10 Pepper Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 the family had moved to 14 Sherrymill Hill, the address shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register. In 1939 he was living at 8 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1917 he was a mechanic at W H Smith Iron Foundry; in 1939 he was a motor engineer.

Died: In 1967, aged 68, in Whitchurch.

John William Jones

Personal Details

Born: 29 March 1893 in Wrenbury, Cheshire.

Family: He was the eldest of four surviving children of William Jones, a teamsman on a farm, and his wife Emily. He married Beatrice A Jukes in 1921 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had two children – George W J and Winifred M.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at 2 Wood Cottages, Smeaton Wood, Wrenbury; in 1911 he was a servant in Marbury cum Quoisley. By 1939 he was living at 30 Egerton Road, Whitchurch, which was his home up to the time of his death.

Employment: Prior to joining up he was a groom. After his discharge he worked as an agricultural labourer and then a steelwork erector for W H Smith (ironfounder).

Died: 14 August 1986 at The Westland in Wem, Shropshire, aged 93 and was buried on 21 August the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 58089

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Alfred Jones

Personal Details

Born: He was born in either 1866 or 1874 in Ellesmere, Shropshire. (The Census records show differing years of birth and due to the common name it has not proved possible to locate a definite birth record).

Family: He married Eliza Morris circa 1900 and was stepfather to her three children from her previous marriage – Eliza, William and Solomon.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at 47 Talbot Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire; by 1911 the family had moved to 44 West End, Whitchurch. In 1919 his address was listed as 44 Smallbrook Road (which we believe to be the same residence).

Employment: He was a farm labourer.

Died: Not known

Amos Jones

Personal Details

Born: 8 February 1876 in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales.

Family: He was the third child of Amos Jones, a bricklayer, and his wife Jane. He married Ada Sarah Smith on 14 November 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had three children – Amos, Joseph and Gwendolen Mary.

Residence: In 1881 he lived at Mynyddisa, Mold, Flintshire. In 1911 he had married and was living at 8 Eyton View, Ruabon Road, Rhosllanerchrugog, Denbighshire, Wales. The address shown in his service papers is 6 Smallbrook Buildings, Whitchurch, Shropshire where he continued to live until at least 1939. (The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register records his address as 4 Smallbrook Buildings which we take as a transcription error).

Employment: In 1911 he was a horse vanman driver; he declared his occupation as collier at his attestation and in 1939 he was a hawker.

Died: 27 November 1954 in Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire and was buried 1 December the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Rank: Private

Service Number: 16512

Date of Enlistment: 23 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 22 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Amos previously served (Private 4152) with the Royal Fusiliers between 20 November 1893 and 19 June 1901 when he was invalided out. He served in the second Boer War. On 15 May 1899 he was recorded on the War Office list of deserters and absentees from Her Majesty’s Service.

Medals and Awards

None awarded as he did not see active service

Arthur Jones

Personal Details

Born: In 1871 in Tilston, near Malpas, Cheshire and baptised on 10 September the same year in St Oswald’s Parish Church, Malpas.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Thomas Jones, a gamekeeper, and his wife Ann. He married Anna Evanson in 1898 in Market Drayton, Shropshire; there were no children born to the couple.

Residence: In 1881 and 1891 he lived with his parents and siblings in Edge, Malpas, Cheshire; by 1901, having married, he lived with his wife at 138 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, where he was still living in 1919.

Employment: He was a cabinet maker and upholsterer.

Died: Not known

Charles Haddon Jones

Personal Details

Born: 3 May 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the only child of Edward Jones, a jeweller and watch dealer, and his wife Mary. He married Florence Price in 1929 in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales. No children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: He lived at 37 Talbot Street up to at least 1919. In 1939 he was living at 4 The Poles, Ludlow, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was apprenticed into his father’s business as a watch repairer; in 1939 he was a salesman. At the time of his death he was working for the Union Castle Shipping Line as a senior night steward/watchman.

Died: He was killed by Kenneth Long on the liner Kenya Castle on 27 July 1963. Long was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey and sent to Broadmoor prison. Charles was buried in Dar-es-Salaam, the ship’s next port of call.

George Richard Jones

Personal Details

Born: In 1894 in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of two children born to Richard Jones, a domestic groom, and his wife Ellen. He married Agnes Davenport on 5 April 1915 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch and together they had one child, Dorothy M. There is a report in February 1930 in the Staffordshire Sentinel of the public examination in bankruptcy of George Richard Jones, Whitchurch butcher, where he revealed that ‘he kept a second establishment in Pant where there was a woman and four children’.

Residence: In 1911 he lived at 11 Yardington, Whitchurch. Kelly’s directory 1934 identifies a George Jones, butcher, at 33 Green End, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was a butcher

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: M2/181543

Date of Enlistment: 11 December 1915

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Stanley Beckett Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 9 June 1890 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised in Whitchurch on 4 July the same year.

Family: He was the second of seven children of John Nunnerley Joyce, a farmer, and his wife Annie. The 1939 Register indicates that Stanley was married, but no records can be found to confirm this.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Wicksted Hall, Wirswall, Whitchurch. In 1901 he lived at Little Cloverley, Prees, Wem, Shropshire; by 1911 the family had moved back to Wicksted Hall, Wirswall, Whitchurch. In 1930 he lived at 50 York Road, Shiresbrook, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The 1939 Register shows him living at 2 Beech Hill Avenue, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. At the time of his death he was living at 24 Hawkstone View, Tilstock, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a farmer in 1911; in 1939 he was Clerk, Ministry of Labour.

Died: 9 February 1955 in Whitchurch, aged 64, and was buried on 12 February the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force (previously Royal Naval Air Service and Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Flight Commander

Service Number: F1864

Date of Enlistment: 18 June 1913

Date of Discharge: 20 July 1919

Reason for Discharge: Transferred to unemployed list

Other Information: His brother, Thomas Joyce, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Stanley was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Thomas Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 19 December 1891 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 8 February 1892.

Family: He was the eldest of seven children born to John Nunnerley Joyce, a farmer, and his wife Annie.

Education: He attended Whitchurch Grammar School from 2 September 1902.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living at Wicksted, Whitchurch. In 1901 he lived at Little Cloverley, Prees, Shropshire; by 1911 the family had moved back to Wicksted, Wirswall, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows his address as Talbot Farm, Black Park, Whitchurch.

Employment: He worked on his father’s farm.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: M2/115316

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother Stanley B Joyce also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Charles Dennis Jukes

Personal Details

Born: 6 April 1899 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fifth of eight children born to George Jukes, a painter, and his wife Florence Mary. He married Margaret Ellen Eden in 1932 in Richmond, Yorkshire and together they had five children – Norman D, Rene M, Brian K, Nora and Pauline.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at 12 Pepper Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 the family had moved to 32a Claypit Street, Whitchurch. In 1919 the Absent Voters’ Register showed his address as 50 Egerton Road and by 1939 he had moved to 31 Egerton Road where he lived at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1939 he was an iron roofer charge hand.

Died: In 1971 in Whitchurch and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 20 July the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Regiment (previously Machine Gun Corps and prior to that Royal Warwickshire regiment).

Rank: Acting Corporal

Service Number: 43383 (previously 73639 and 9285)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Brother of George Edward and William Harry Jukes who both served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William Oliver

Percy William Jopling

Personal Details

Born: In 1896 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to Frederick William Jopling, a chief draughtsman, and his wife Jane Olivia. He married Mabel Winifred Gray on 3 September 1923 in South Shields and together they had 3 children – Sarah M, Joseph R and George A.

Residence: In 1901 he lived with his parents and siblings at 31 Benwell Grove, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne; by 1911 they had moved to Claude Avenue, Middlesborough. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows him living at 20 St. Mary’s Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire but we can find no other link to Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was a bank manager (which may explain why he moved around the country).

Died: In 1982 in Hull, Humberside.

Joseph Vaughan

Personal Details

Born: 13 January 1891 in Prees, Shropshire and baptised on 22 February the same year in Prees Parish Church.

Family: He was the younger of two children born to Frederick Vaughan, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Margaret. He married Margaret E Edwards in 1916 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had two children – Stanley F and Frank.

Education: He was admitted to Edstaston Church of England School in 1901.

Residence: At the time of the 1891 Census he was living with his family in Millen Heath, Prees; by 1901 they had moved to Creamore, Wem, Shropshire. In 1911 he was living at 22 Coton, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 20 Brownlow Street for him.

Employment: In 1911 he was a farm labourer

Died: In 1932 in Wem, aged 40.

Percy Charles Watson

Personal Details

Born: 31st January 1899

Family: 1901 Census shows him living with his mother and father Martha Amelia and Charles William, sisters Martha A, Maud L and Louisa and brother Charles. 1911 Census lists another brother Wallis and sister Winifred. Percy Charles Watson married Violet Beatrice Madill in Canada on 13 September 1926.

Residence: He was born in Walthamstow, Essex and was living there in the 1901 Census. By 1911 the family had moved to Wilmslow, Cheshire. It would seem that the family moved to Whitchurch sometime between 1911 and 1915. An advert in a 1915 Whitchurch Herald for a Laundry opening at 63 Green End by C.W. Watson links to Percy Charles Watson’s address on the Absent Voters’ List and the fact that his mother is listed as ‘Laundress’ and ‘Laundry Forewoman’. His address at the time of his marriage was 120 Cumberland Street, Toronto, Canada.

Employment: Listed as Mechanic on Canadian Marriage certificate.

Died: Not known

Military Personnel – surnames starting with H

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter H. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Hagan	William	Died	View Details
Hales	George Albert	Died	View Details
Hales	John Vincent Walter	Survived	View Details
Hales	Robert Charles	Survived	View Details
Hales	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Hales	Walter Lee	Survived	View Details
Hall	Alfred Arthur	Survived	View Details
Hall	George	Survived	View Details
Hall	Harry	Survived	View Details
Hall	Percy Leonard	Died	View Details
Hall	Robert	Died	View Details
Hall	Samuel	Died	View Details
Hall	William George	Survived	View Details
Hallmark	Herbert Edward	Died	View Details
Hamer	Richard	Died	View Details
Hamer	William	Survived	View Details
Hamlet	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Hancock	George	Survived	No further information available.
Hancock	Harry	Died	View Details
Hancock	James	Survived	View Details
Hancock	Trevor	Survived	View Details
Hancock	William Edward	Survived	View Details
Hand	Edward	Died	View Details
Hand	Francis	Survived	View Details
Hand	Herbert	Died	View Details
Hanmer	Griffin Wyndham Edward	Survived	View Details
Harborne	William Richard	Survived	View Details
Harding	Arthur	Died	View Details
Harding	Charles	Died	View Details
Harding	John	Survived	View Details
Hares	Joseph Robert	Survived	View Details
Hares	Robert Joseph	Survived	View Details
Hares	Thomas Topham	Survived	View Details
Hares	Vincent Colin	Died	View Details
Harper	Ernest George	Died	View Details
Harper	Frederick George	Died	View Details
Harper	George Frank	Survived	View Details
Harper	Herbert William	Survived	View Details
Harris	George Bernard	Survived	View Details
Harris	Richard	Survived	View Details
Harris	Samuel	Died	View Details
Harrison	Brian	Died	View Details
Harrison	Henry Norman	Died	View Details
Harrison	John German	Died	View Details
Harvey	James	Survived	View Details
Hassall	George Sandford	Survived	View Details
Hassall	John Henry	Died	View Details
Haycocks	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Haycocks	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Haycocks	George	Survived	View Details
Haycocks	George Harold	Survived	View Details
Haycocks	John	Died	View Details
Haycocks	John Willie	Survived	View Details
Haycocks	John William	Died	View Details
Hayes	Albert George	Died	View Details
Hayes	Percy Henry	Died	No further information available.
Hayles	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Hayward	Charles	Survived	View Details
Hayward	Ernest Reio	Survived	View Details
Hayward	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Hayward	Horace Howell	Survived	View Details
Hayward	John Wilfrid	Survived	View Details
Hayward	William	Survived	View Details
Hazledine	John Turner Clough	Died	View Details
Healey	William	Survived	View Details
Heath	Herbert	Died	View Details
Heath	William	Died	View Details
Heatley	Frank	Died	View Details
Heatley	Frank	Died	View Details
Heatley	John Edward	Survived	View Details
Hendrick	Alfred Charles	Died	View Details
Henshall	Albert	Died	View Details
Henshall	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Henshall	Herbert Thomas	Survived	View Details
Henshall	Philip Henry	Survived	View Details
Henshall	William	Died	View Details
Henshaw	John	Survived	View Details
Henson	George	Survived	View Details
Henton	John	Died	View Details
Herford	Walter Harrel	Died	View Details
Herriman	Joseph	Died	View Details
Hesketh	Harold Clifford	Survived	View Details
Hesketh	George Edwin	Survived	View Details
Hewitt	Charles Arthur	Died	View Details
Hewitt	Frank	Died	View Details
Hewitt	George	Died	View Details
Hewitt	Joseph	Died	View Details
Hewitt	Thomas	Died	View Details
Heycocks	Charles Thomas	Survived	View Details
Heycocks	John Willie	Died	View Details
Hiatt	Horace James	Survived	View Details
Hibbert	James Walter	Survived	View Details
Hickman	Herbert	Died	View Details
Higgins	John Harold	Survived	View Details
Higgins	Thomas Albert	Survived	View Details
Higley	Thomas	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged 10 January 1888
Hill	Rowland	Survived	View Details
Hinchcliffe	James William	Survived	View Details
Hinde	John Alfred	Survived	View Details
Hinde	Thomas Roderick	Survived	View Details
Hobbs	Richard Walter	Survived	View Details
Hobbs	Sidney Oscar	Died	View Details
Hockenhull	Edwin	Died	View Details
Hockenhull	Herbert Thomas	Survived	View Details
Hockenhull	James Henry	Died	View Details
Hodgkiss	Wallace	Survived	View Details
Hodkinson	Fred	Died	View Details
Hodkinson	John	Survived	View Details
Hogan	John	Survived	No further information available.
Holbrook	Ben	Survived	View Details
Holbrook	James	Survived	View Details
Holding	Harry	Survived	View Details
Holland	Ernest	Died	View Details
Hollands	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Holloway	Robert Edward	Died	View Details
Hollowood	Henry	Died	View Details
Holman	Edwin John	Died	View Details
Hood	Arthur Gordon	Survived	View Details
Hooper	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Hopley	Alfred	Died	View Details
Hopley	Frederick Joseph	Died	View Details
Hopley	John	Died	View Details
Hopley	Wilfred Simon	Died	View Details
Hopwood	Wilfred	Died	View Details
Horton	John	Survived	View Details
Horton	William	Died	View Details
Hough	Arthur	Died	View Details
Houghton	Edmund Mostyn	Survived	View Details
Houlding	George Moreton	Survived	View Details
Hounsom	B W Edward	Died	View Details
House	Leonard Richard	Survived	View Details
Howell	Arthur	Died	View Details
Howell	John William	Survived	View Details
Howells	William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Arthur	Died	View Details
Hughes	Arthur William	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Charles Henry	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Edward Phillip	Died	View Details
Hughes	Harry	Died	View Details
Hughes	Jack	Survived	View Details
Hughes	James	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Robert Arthur	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Thomas Junr.	Survived	View Details
Hughes	Thomas Llewellyn	Survived	View Details
Hughes	William John	Survived	View Details
Hulse	John William	Died	View Details
Humphreys	Albert Edward	Survived	View Details
Humphreys	Arthur	Died	View Details
Humphreys	John Cecil	Survived	View Details
Humphreys	Robert John	Died	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with G

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter G. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Gaffney	Edward	Died	View Details
Gardner	John	Survived	View Details
Garratt	Alfred	Died	View Details
Gaughan	George	Survived	View Details
Gaughan	James	Died	View Details
Gaughan	John	Survived	View Details
Gaughan	Patrick	Died	View Details
Gaughan	Thomas	Died	View Details
Gaughan	William	Survived	View Details
Gaughan	William	Survived	View Details
Gavein	Patrick	Died	View Details
Gibbons	John	Survived	View Details
Gibbons	Stephen	Died	View Details
Gibson	Reginald Harry	Survived	View Details
Gill	Thomas Ernest	Survived	View Details
Gillespie	Archibald	Survived	View Details
Glassey	Richard	Survived	View Details
Glassey	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Glassey	Thomas John	Died	View Details
Glover	George	Died	View Details
Glover	Jack	Died	View Details
Glover	Kenneth Houghton	Died	View Details
Glover	William	Survived	View Details
Godsal	Alfred Edmund	Died	View Details
Godsal	Walter Hugh	Died	View Details
Goodacre	Arthur Leslie	Died	View Details
Gorham	John Douglas	Survived	View Details
Gosnay	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Gosnell	George	Survived	View Details
Gosnell	John	Survived	View Details
Gosnell	William	Died	View Details
Gossage	Guy Winwood	Died	View Details
Gough	William	Died	View Details
Grace	Robert Thomas	Survived	View Details
Grace	Thomas	Survived	No further information available.
Graham	John Albert	Died	View Details
Grattidge	Charles Henry	Died	View Details
Graydon	Joseph	Died	View Details
Graydon	William	Died	View Details
Green	Charles	Survived	No further information available.
Green	Frank	Died	View Details
Green	George	Died	View Details
Green	Henry Allman	Survived	View Details
Green	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Greenhalgh	Charles	Died	View Details
Gregory	Ernest	Died	View Details
Gregory	Frederick Charles	Died	View Details
Gregory	George	Survived	View Details
Gregory	Harold	Died	View Details
Grice	William	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	Benjamin Francis	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	Bernard	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	David John	Died	View Details
Griffiths	Edward	Died	View Details
Griffiths	Edward John	Died	View Details
Griffiths	Fred	Died	View Details
Griffiths	George	Died	View Details
Griffiths	George Albert	Died	View Details
Griffiths	Jacob	Died	View Details
Griffiths	James	Died	View Details
Griffiths	John William	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	William David	Survived	View Details
Griffiths	William George	Survived	View Details
Grindley	Colin John	Died	View Details
Grindley	George	Survived	View Details
Groom	George Harold	Died	View Details
Groom	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Groom	Joseph	Died	View Details
Groom	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Groom	William Frederick	Survived	View Details
Groome	Godfrey Egerton	Died	View Details
Groome	Horace James	Survived	View Details
Groome	William	Survived	View Details
Grosvenor	Lord Hugh William	Died	View Details
Groves	Leigh	Survived	View Details

Joseph Lloyd

Personal Details

Born: 1896 in Myddle, Shropshire and baptised 31 May 1896 at Myddle Parish Church, Myddle, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of five surviving children born to John Lloyd, a groom, and his wife Elizabeth. No definite marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at 89 Beacon Street, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. By 1911 they were at 10 St. Mary`s Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire. However Joseph was living at Woodhouses, Whitchurch. His address on his military documents was Edgeley House Cottage, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a farm labourer. On his military documents his occupation was stated as a gardener.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 10981

Date of Enlistment: 18 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 24 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Joseph was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals) and the Military Medal, awarded 27 October 1916

Campaign Medals

Military Medal

Military Personnel – surnames starting with F

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter F. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Fardoe	Edward Richard	Survived	View Details
Farr	Thomas Knight	Survived	View Details
Faulkner	Frank Lloyd	Died	View Details
Faulkner	George	Survived	View Details
Faulkner	John	Died	View Details
Faulkner	John Joseph	Died	View Details
Fearnall	Hugh	Died	View Details
Field	Frank	Survived	View Details
Field	John William	Died	View Details
Fisher	Ernest	Died	View Details
Fisher	George	Survived	View Details
Fisher	Walter Sidney	Survived	View Details
Fleet	Edgar	Died	View Details
Fleet	Wilfred	Died	View Details
Flint	John	Survived	View Details
Ford	Thomas Arthur	Died	View Details
Foreshaw	William	Survived	View Details
Forster	William Alexander	Survived	View Details
Forsyth	Reginald James Thomas	Died	View Details
Foster	Albert	Survived	View Details
Foster	Alfred	Died	View Details
Foster	James Henry	Survived	View Details
Foster	John Henry	Survived	View Details
Foulkes	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Foulkes	William Edward	Survived	View Details
Fowles	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Fowles	Charles	Survived	View Details
Fowles	Frederick	Died	View Details
Fowles	George	Survived	View Details
Fowles	George	Survived	View Details
Fowles	Harry	Survived	View Details
Fowles	John	Survived	View Details
Fowles	William	Died	View Details
Foxley	Francis Herbert	Died	View Details
France	Herbert	Survived	View Details
France	Leonard	Died	View Details
Francis	Albert James	Died	View Details
Francis	Ernest Edward	Died	View Details
Francis	George Lambert	Survived	View Details
Francis	John	Survived	View Details
Franklin	Charles	Died	View Details
Freer	Leonard	Survived	View Details
Freer	Percy William	Died	View Details
Frost	John William	Died	View Details
Furber	George	Survived	View Details
Furber	James	Died	View Details
Furber	Wallace	Died	View Details
Furber	William Henry	Died	View Details
Furmston	Edward Thomas	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with E

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter E. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
East	John Alfred	Survived	View Details
Eaton	Leonard John	Survived	View Details
Eaton	Percy Enoch	Survived	View Details
Eaton	Robert Percival	Survived	View Details
Eaton	Thomas Albert	Survived	View Details
Eaton	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Eccleston	James	Died	View Details
Eccleston	Richard Arthur	Survived	View Details
Eccleston	Rupert James	Survived	View Details
Eddies	Alfred	Died	View Details
Eddies	John	Died	View Details
Eden	William	Died	View Details
Edge	Albert	Survived	View Details
Edge	Clement	Survived	View Details
Edge	George Henry	Survived	View Details
Edge	Jack	Survived	View Details
Edge	John Sydney	Survived	View Details
Edge	Joseph Thomas	Survived	View Details
Edge	Leonard	Died	View Details
Edge	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Edge	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Edgerton	James	Died	View Details
Edington	Percy Gay	Survived	View Details
Edmondson	William	Died	View Details
Edwards	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Alfred	Died	View Details
Edwards	Alfred Pryce	Died	View Details
Edwards	Ernest	Died	View Details
Edwards	James	Survived	View Details
Edwards	James	Survived	View Details
Edwards	James	Survived	View Details
Edwards	John	Survived	View Details
Edwards	John	Survived	View Details
Edwards	John Henry	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Richard	Died	View Details
Edwards	Robert Percy	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Thomas	Died	View Details
Edwards	Walter	Survived	View Details
Edwards	William Arthur	Survived	View Details
Edwards	Willie	Died	View Details
Egerton	Gordon Joseph	Died	View Details
Elliott	George Allport	Survived	View Details
Ellis	Walter	Survived	View Details
Ellison	John Ernest	Survived	View Details
Ellison	Thomas	Died	View Details
Elsley	Arthur James	Survived	View Details
Elsley	George Edwin	Survived	View Details
Elsley	John Henry	Died	View Details
Elsley	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Elson	Leonard James	Survived	View Details
Ethelston	Herbert Wickstead	Died	View Details
Evans	Charles	Died	View Details
Evans	Charles Stephen	Survived	View Details
Evans	Edward	Died	View Details
Evans	Edward Frank	Died	View Details
Evans	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Evans	Ernest William	Survived	View Details
Evans	Frank	Died	View Details
Evans	Frederick Bolas	Survived	View Details
Evans	George Henry	Survived	Did not serve in WW1
Evans	George Thomas	Survived	View Details
Evans	James	Died	View Details
Evans	James	Died	View Details
Evans	James Henry	Survived	View Details
Evans	John	Survived	View Details
Evans	John	Died	View Details
Evans	Sydney	Survived	View Details
Evans	Thomas Harold	Survived	View Details
Evans	Thomas Richard	Survived	View Details
Evans	Walter	Survived	View Details
Evans	Walter John	Survived	View Details
Evans	William	Survived	View Details
Evans	William Albert	Died	View Details
Evanson	Frederick William	Survived	View Details
Evanson	John	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; invalided out before the start of the war
Evanson	Robert	Survived	View Details
Evanson	Thomas	Died	View Details
Evanson	Walter	Died	View Details
Evason	Alfred	Died	View Details
Everson	George William	Survived	View Details
Evison	John William	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with D

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter D. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Dale	Albert	Died	View Details
Dale	Frank	Died	View Details
Dale	Walter	Died	View Details
Daly	Harold Patrick	Survived	View Details
Daly	Joseph Edward	Died	View Details
Darlington	Abraham	Died	View Details
Darlington	Richard Morton	Survived	View Details
Darlington	William Charles	Died	View Details
Davenport	Frederick Henry	Survived	No further information available
Davenport	Horace Birch	Died	View Details
Davenport	Reginald Ernest	Survived	View Details
Davies	Albert	Died	View Details
Davies	Alfred	Died	View Details
Davies	Arthur	Died	View Details
Davies	Arthur	Died	View Details
Davies	Charles William	Died	View Details
Davies	David	Died	View Details
Davies	Edward George	Died	View Details
Davies	Fred	Survived	View Details
Davies	Frederick John	Survived	View Details
Davies	George Alec	Survived	View Details
Davies	Harold Edwin	Survived	View Details
Davies	Harry	Died	View Details
Davies	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Davies	Herbert John	Survived	View Details
Davies	Jack	Survived	No further information available
Davies	John	Survived	View Details
Davies	John	Died	View Details
Davies	John Caulcott	Survived	View Details
Davies	John William	Survived
Davies	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Davies	Joseph	Died	View Details
Davies	Leonard William	Died	View Details
Davies	William Albert	Died	View Details
Davies	William Edward	Survived	View Details
Davies	William Roland	Survived	View Details
Dawson	Herbert Arthur	Died	View Details
Dawson	John	Survived	View Details
Dawson	John Alexander	Survived	View Details
Dawson	Joseph William	Survived	View Details
Day	Enoch	Survived	View Details
Day	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Day	Percy	Survived	View Details
Day	Thomas	Died	View Details
Day	William	Survived	View Details
Day	William	Survived	View Details
Deakin	Clarence Henry Higgins	Survived	View Details
Dean	Norman William	Died	View Details
Dean	Robert William	Died	View Details
Dean	Thomas	Died	View Details
Debanks	William	Died	View Details
Denman	Frederick George	Survived	View Details
Dickin	Merry	Survived	View Details
Diggory	Alfred	Died	View Details
Docherty	John Marshall	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Alfred George	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Clement	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Edwin	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Frederick	Died	View Details
Dodd	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Harry	Survived	View Details
Dodd	Herbert	Survived	View Details
Dodd	James	Survived	No further information available
Dodd	John Willie	Died	View Details
Dodsforth	William John	Survived	View Details
Done	Ralph	Survived	View Details
Done	Thomas Henry	Survived	View Details
Dowdall	Stephen	Died	View Details
Downes	John	Died	View Details
Downing	Harry	Survived	View Details
Downward	Henry Willasey	Survived	View Details
Downward	James	Survived	View Details
Downward	James Ernest	Survived	View Details
Drew	Jack	Died	View Details
Drury	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Duckers	Albert	Survived	View Details
Duckers	Ernest Jabez	Survived	View Details
Duckers	Joseph	Died	View Details
Dugdale	Rev Richard William	Died	View Details
Dulson	C	Survived	No further information available
Dulson	Fred	Survived	View Details
Dulson	George	Survived	View Details
Dulson	William	Survived	View Details
Dunn	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Durant	George Hugo	Died	View Details
Dutton	Frederick	Died	View Details
Dutton	Joseph	Died	View Details
Dutton	Thomas	Died	View Details
Dyer	Reginald Lewis	Survived	View Details

Military Personnel – surnames starting with C

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter C. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Callcott	Alfred	Survived	View Details
Caloe	Samuel James	Survived	View Details
Calvert	Harold Bailey	Died	View Details
Cameron	Percy	Died	View Details
Capper	John	Survived	View Details
Capper	Philip	Survived	View Details
Carroll	Thomas	Died	View Details
Carter	George John	Survived	View Details
Cartwright	Albert	Died	View Details
Cartwright	Albert Jeffrey	Died	View Details
Cartwright	Edward	Survived	View Details
Cartwright	Frank	Survived	View Details
Cartwright	Thomas Barnett	Survived	View Details
Cartwright	William	Died	View Details
Caswell	Ernest Richard	Survived	View Details
Casewell	John	Survived	View Details
Casey	Andrew Thomas	Survived	View Details
Caulcott	Frederick	Died	View Details
Caulfield	Henry Edward	Survived	View Details
Chadwick	John Alfred	Survived	View Details
Challenor	Frank	Died	View Details
Challenor	Jonathan	Survived	View Details
Challenor	George Fallous	Died	View Details
Challinor	Harold	Survived	View Details
Challenor	John	Survived	View Details
Challinor	John Ernest	Survived	View Details
Challinor	Randle	Survived	View Details
Challinor	Samuel John	Survived	View Details
Challinor	William	Survived	View Details
Chandler	Frederick William	Died	View Details
Charlton	St John Alan	Died	View Details
Chase	Edwin	Died	View Details
Chase	George	Survived	View Details
Chelmick	Richard	Survived	View Details
Cheshire	Charled Alfred	Survived	View Details
Chesters	Frederick	Died	View Details
Chesters	George	Died	View Details
Chesters	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Chesworth	James Richard	Survived	View Details
Chesworth	William	Survived	View Details
Chetwood	Ambrose	Died	View Details
Chidlow	Albert Edward	Survived	View Details
Chidlow	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Chidlow	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Chidlow	John	Survived	View Details
Chidlow	Percy	Survived	View Details
Christal	John	Died	View Details
Chrisitan	Arthur Lewis	Died	View Details
Chubb	Arthur Balfour	Survived	View Details
Chubb	George Alfred	Died	View Details
Cilliers	Gabriel Pieter	Died	View Details
Clack	Charles Richard	Died	View Details
Clarke	Frederick	Died	View Details
Clarke	George	Survived	View Details
Clarke	John	Survived	View Details
Clarke	Robert Henry	Survived	View Details
Clarke	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Clay	Colin Blake	Survived	View Details
Clayton	Frank	Survived	View Details
Clayton	Thomas	Died	View Details
Clegg-Hill	Hon Arthur	Died	View Details
Clewes	Frank	Died	View Details
Cliff	John	Survived	View Details
Cliff	Thomas Edwin	Survived	View Details
Cliff	Thomas Frederick	Died	View Details
Clice	Albert	Survived	View Details
Clive	George	Survived	View Details
Clive	Joseph Thomas	Survived	View Details
Clive	William	Died	View Details
Clorley	Alfred	Died	View Details
Clorley	Joseph	Died	View Details
Clorley	William	Died	View Details
Clutton	Edgar	Died	View Details
Coffin	Thomas	Died	View Details
Coleman	George David Thurman	Survived	View Details
Collins	Justin	Died	View Details
Connor	Reginald	Died	View Details
Cooke	John Butler	Survived	View Details
Cooke	William	Survived	No further information available.
Cooper	Albert Edward	Survived	View Details
Cooper	Albert Edward	Died	View Details
Cooper	Edward Harold	Survived	View Details
Cooper	John William	Survived	View Details
Cooper	Norman Edgar	Survived	View Details
Cooper	William Thomas	Died	View Details
Corfield	William Henry	Survived	View Details
Cork	Ernest Robert	Survived	View Details
Corn	Frank Rigby	Survived	View Details
Corn	Charles William	Died	View Details
Cotton	Joseph Henry	Died	View Details
Crabtree	William	Survived	View Details
Craven	Richard	Died	View Details
Crewe	Bill	Survived	View Details
Crewe	Dick	Survived	View Details
Crewe	Ernest	Survived	View Details
Crewe	George	Survived	View Details
Crewe	Jack	Survived	View Details
Crewe	Jim	Died	View Details
Crewe	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Crewe	Sidney Hubert	Died	View Details
Crewe	William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Crichton	Viscount Henry William	Died	View Details
Critchlow	William Henry Cecil	Survived	View Details
Crosse	Archibald	Survived	View Details
Croxton	Frederick	Survived	View Details
Croxton	George	Survived	Did not serve in WW1
Crump	Charles	Died	View Details
Crump	James	Died	View Details
Crump	James	Died	View Details
Crump	John	Lived	View Details
Crump	John William	Died	View Details
Crump	William Henry	Survived	View Details

Patrick O’Neill

Personal Details

Born: 1884 in Prescot, Lancashire.

Family: He was the sixth of seven children born to Patrick O`Neill, a labourer, and his wife Eliza. He married Edith Davies on 7 April 1906 at Prescot Registry Office, Prescot, Lancashire. The couple had 5 children, Edward, Eliza Ann, John, Lilian Maud and George. Lilian and George were born in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Residence: In 1891 his family was living at 16 Brown`s Court, Prescot, Lancashire. By 1901 they had moved to Court House, 1 Stone Street, Prescot. In 1911 and now married, his home was 21 Highfield Place, Prescot, however his wife Edith was not there at the time of the census. An address of 13 Highfield Place was given for him on his military documents, this was subsequently crossed out and 3 Scotland Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire added. The 1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch had the same address. On his medal index card there was an address of 2 Stone Street, Prescot, Lancashire for him.

Employment: In 1901 he was a carter for a market gardener and in 1911 a labourer.

Died: In 1925 in Prescot.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously Cheshire Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 498208 (previously 3/28765)

Date of Enlistment: 24 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 12 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Patrick was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William James Williams

Personal Details

Born: 17 May 1893, either in Whitchurch, Shropshire or Nantwich, Cheshire.

Family: He was possibly the son of Daniel Williams and his wife Jane (nee Pilbury) of Nantwich. He married Margaret E Starkey for the first time in 1916, the marriage being registered in Whitchurch. Together they had two children John W and Thomas. By 1939 they had divorced; a second marriage is recorded in 1942 between William and Elizabeth, also registered in Whitchurch.

Residence: The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 3 Prince’s Yard, Whitchurch; by 1939 Margaret was living alone with the two boys at 1 Churtons Cottages, Bark Hill, Whitchurch and lists her marital state as divorced. At the same time it would appear that William was living as a single man in Barker Street, Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1977 his address was 18 Highgate, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was working as a farm labourer/cowman.

Died: First quarter of 1977 in Whitchurch Cottage Hospital and buried on 18 January same year in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

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

Rank: Not known

Service Number: 34805

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: The 4th Reserve of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry were formed from the 3/4th Battalion Territorial Force in April 1916. In 1917 they moved to Swansea and the following year to Pembroke Dock.

Medals and Awards

Presumed none as he would not have served abroad

William Henry Stockton

Personal Details

Born: 29 July 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 14 August the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fifth child of Benjamin Stockton, an iron moulder’s labourer, and his wife Alice. He married Edith Meachin in 1914 in Whitchurch and together they had two children – Cissie and Thomas.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his family at 18 Yardington, Whitchurch; the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register had an address of 16 St. Mary’s Street, Whitchurch for him. In 1939 he lived at Old Rectory Cottage, Claypit Street, Whitchurch and at the time of his death he was living at 10 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was an iron roofer.

Died: In 1948 at the Crewe Memorial Hospital, Cheshire and was buried on 15 May the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Driver

Service Number: 247960

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Robert Owen

Personal Details

Born: In 1892 in Barton upon Irwell, Lancashire.

Family: He was the eldest of five children born to Robert Owen, a butcher, and his wife Frances Sarah, nee Duffy. Robert senior was previously married to Elizabeth and together they had two children. No marriage can definitively be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living at 121 Sussex Road, Southport, Lancashire. By 1911 they had moved to 146 Broad Street, Pendleton, Salford. He also appears on a 1911 Census living with his grandmother Emily Jane Duffy at 20 Chetwynd Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire. His military records for 1915 have an address of 13 Almsford Road, Irlam O` Th` Heights, Lancashire. However by 1918 his record showed that his King`s Certificate of Discharge was to be sent to St. Mary`s School, Whitchurch, Shropshire. On his second Pension Ledger Card he was said to be living at The Beeches, 8 Ferriby, near Hull, Yorkshire.

Employment: On the 1911 Census his occupation was described as a draper`s apprentice and in 1915 as an outfitter.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 63250

Date of Enlistment: 8 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 31 July 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service.

Other Information: His twin brothers, David and Alfred, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Robert was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (number 379961)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

David Owen

Personal Details

Born: 25 January 1897 in Southport, Lancashire.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Robert Owen, a butcher and his wife Frances Sarah, nee Duffy. He had a twin brother, Alfred. His father Robert had previously been married to Elizabeth Leake and they had two daughters, these would have been David`s half sisters. On the 1939 Register he was recorded as being married, however no definite marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living at 121 Sussex Road, Southport. By 1911 they had moved to 146 Broad Street, Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire. An address of St. Mary`s School, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him on the1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch. This address can also be found on his 1919 military documents, where his next of kin is stated as his sister, Miss Roberta Owen. Additional addresses of 143 Seedley Park Road, Seedley, Salford, Lancashire and 26 Clarendon Road, Swinton are also on these records. In 1939 he was living at 33 Overton Crescent, Sale, Cheshire.

Employment: On his military records for 1919 his occupation was described as a warehouseman. By 1939 he was a food despatch clerk.

Died: In 1977 in Trafford, Lancashire, aged 80.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Tank Corps (previously Machine Gun Corps, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and Lancashire Fusiliers)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 7809848 (previously 72985, 7173 and 1980)

Date of Enlistment: 23 February 1914

Date of Discharge: 31 March 1922

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: David`s brothers, Robert and Alfred, also served in WW1. He transferred to the Royal Tank Corps (7809848) on 14 March 1919, serving for another three years.

Medals and Awards

David was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Alfred Owen

Personal Details

Born: 25 January 1897 in Southport, Lancashire.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Robert Owen, a butcher and his wife Frances Sarah, nee Duffy. He had a twin brother David. His father Robert had previously been married to Elizabeth Leake and they had two daughters, these would have been Alfred`s half sisters. No marriage can be found for Alfred.

Residence: In 1901 he and his family were living at 121 Sussex Road, Southport, Lancashire. By 1911 they had moved to 146 Broad Street, Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire. An address of St. Mary`s School, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List, this was the address on the first of his pension records. When these pension records were transferred an address of Weaste Road, Weaste Manor, Lancashire was stated. In 1939 he was living at 38 Manning Road, Southport, Lancashire.

Employment: In 1914 he was an outfitter; in 1939 he was a furniture polisher and remover.

Died: In 1978 in Southport, Lancashire, aged 80.

Military Details

Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: 280322 (previously 1979)

Date of Enlistment: 23 February 1914

Date of Discharge: 22 July 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His older brother, Robert and twin brother, David, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (awarded on 18 August 1919, number B267471)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

John Frederick Wharton

Personal Details

Born: 27 July 1886 in Malpas, Cheshire.

Family: He was the son of Rosa Wharton; Rosa subsequently married Thomas Coffin and together they had three children. No marriage can be traced for John.

Residence: In 1891 and 1901 he was living at his grandparents’ house in Well Street, Malpas, Cheshire. In 1911 he was boarding in Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 6 Yardington, Whitchurch for him and in 1939 he was living at 16 George Street, Whitchurch. At the time of his death he lived at 22 Newtown, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1901 he was a cow boy on a farm; in 1911 he was a carter’s labourer. In 1939 he was a road worker.

Died: In 1940 at the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury, aged 54 and was buried on 17 July that year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: South Wales Borderers

Rank: Private

Service Number: 44833

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William John Roberts

Personal Details

Born: c.1889 in the Oswestry area of Shropshire.

Family: One of six children born to John and Elizabeth Roberts.

Residence: In 1901 the family were living at Greenfield Cottages in Whitchurch, Shropshire. Ten years later the address of Williams’s parents, older sister Elizabeth and his niece was that of 18 High Gate, Whitchurch but William’s whereabouts at that time have not been located. However, it was the Highgate address that was given for him in the 1919 Absent Voters’ list. It would appear that William moved to the Nantwich area of Cheshire prior to 1927.

Employment: Not known

Died: William’s death was registered at Nantwich, Cheshire during the first quarter of 1927. He was buried in Whitchurch cemetery, in the same plot as his mother, on 16 March that year. It is noted that his death occurred in Crewe Hospital.

Military Details

Regiment: Bedfordshire Yeomanry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 30352 (previously 1221 in same regiment)

Date of Enlistment: Prior to Jun 1915

Date of Discharge: After Autumn 1919

Reason for Discharge: Disembodied

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

George Henry Roberts

Personal Details

Born: 12 June 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 6 September the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Alfred Roberts, a cornfactor grocer, and his wife Mary Alice (nee Darlington). Mary died and Alfred married again to Ann Ashley in 1894. George married Edith C Whitfield in 1913 in Whitchurch and together they had one child, Edith Barbara. His wife, Edith, died in 1918 and he married Susie Jones in 1919 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire; together they had one child, Rita.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Bark Hill, Whitchurch, where they continued to live until at least 1891. By 1901 they had moved to Highgate, Whitchurch; their address in 1911 was 1 Highgate and the address on Edith’s burial record was 6 Highgate. In 1939 he was living at 5 Talbot Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a shop assistant; in 1939 a pet stores shop keeper.

Died: In 1967 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, aged 77.

James Henry Simmons

Personal Details

Born: 27 April 1899 in Pitchford, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to James Simmons, a gamekeeper, and his wife Ann Elizabeth. He married Mabel Hulme in 1923 in Market Drayton and together they had seven children – James W, Barbara J, Vernon Bernard, Marjorie J, Gerald, Arnold Victor and Delia M.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at Woodside Cottage, Coton, Wem, Shropshire; by 1911 the family had moved to Hartsmere Cottages, Coton. When he enlisted he gave his address as Gamekeeper’s Lodge, Marbury, Shropshire; in 1920 he was living at Townley Villa, Marbury. In 1939 Mabel and the children were living at 6 Gravels Terrace, Clun, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1915 he was a gardener.

Died: In 1970 in Liverpool, Lancashire.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Naval Division

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Service Number: Bristol, Z/1144

Date of Enlistment: 14 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 29 December 1915

Reason for Discharge: Underage

Other Information: He stated his date of birth on enlisting as 27 April 1897, whereas he was born on 27 April 1899.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the British War Medal

British War Medal

Thomas Henry White

Personal Details

Born: 1 March 1882 in Ightfield, Shropshire and baptised on 11 June in Ightfield Parish Church.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Thomas Henry White, a groom, and his wife Catherine. He married Elizabeth Trow in 1904 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had four surviving children – Thomas Henry, Ethel Mary Jane, Lilly and Samuel. Thomas also had a step-son, Arthur Trow.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Ightfield; in 1891 he was living with his family in Green End, Whitchurch. By 1901 they had moved to 1 Railway Inn Yard, Station Road, Whitchurch. In 1911, now married with a young family, Thomas was living at 24 Grindley Brook, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 7 Castle Hill, Whitchurch for him. In 1939 he was living at 6 George Street, Whitchurch; this was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1901 he was a saddler’s apprentice; in 1911 he was a general labourer. In 1939 he was a road worker for the County Council.

Died: In 1951 in Whitchurch, aged 69, and was buried on 5 February the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Liverpool Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 46641 (previously 70603)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Henry Wharton

Personal Details

Born: 13 December 1896 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of nine surviving children of Henry Wharton, a bricklayer’s labourer, and his wife Mary. He married Kathleen A O’Neill in 1927 in Whitchurch; no children can be located for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 and 1911 he was living with his family at 29 Newtown, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register had an address of 7 Newtown, Whitchurch for him. In 1939 he was living at 22 Grindley Brook, Whitchurch; this was his address at the time of his death in 1940.

Employment: In 1939 he was a steel erector.

Died: In 1940, in Whitchurch, aged 43 and was buried on 14 August the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Robert Joseph Lewis

Personal Details

Born: In 1890 in Carden, Tilston, Cheshire and baptised in Tilston Parish Church on 23 November the same year.

Family: He was the second of six children born to Robert Lewis, a farm bailiff, and his wife Eliza Ellen. No marriage can be confirmed for Robert.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his family were living at Jubilee Cottage, Carden; by 1891 they were living in Grafton Township, Carden. By 1901 he had moved to Manor Farm, Sealand, Flintshire, Wales and by 1911 was at Hill Top Farm, Tushingham, Cheshire. This was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was working on his father’s farm.

Died: 4 January 1947 in Tushingham, aged 56.

John Francis Welch

Personal Details

Born: 1 November 1894 in Swinton, Lancashire.

Family: He was the eldest of five children born to Anthony Welch, a general dealer, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Norah Alice Lang on 8 September 1920 in Bombay, India; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family at 15 Dodington, Whitchurch, Shropshire; this is the address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register. In 1911 he was attending the Roman Catholic College, Ushaw, Lanchester, County Durham; this college was a Roman Catholic seminary, suggesting he was being prepared for the priesthood. He was married in India in 1920 and it is probable that he and his wife remained in India for some time afterwards. His address at the time of his death was Glan Aber, Llanasa, Flintshire.

Employment: Not known

Died: 27 May 1970 in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, aged 75.

Military Details

Regiment: Indian Army (previously Royal Fusiliers)

Rank: Acting Captain (previously Private) (commissioned 29 January 1918)

Service Number: PS/5910 (Royal Fusiliers)

Date of Enlistment: Prior to 13 November 1915

Date of Discharge: After July 1922

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Richard Wilkinson

Personal Details

Born: In 1875. The Census returns have various places of birth – Ridley, Cheshire; Bunbury, Cheshire. The birth was registered in Nantwich, Cheshire.

Family: He was the fourth of six children born to Richard Wilkinson, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Rachel. No marriage can be confirmed for Richard.

Residence: In 1881 he lived with his parents and siblings at Broomy Bank, Hampton, Cheshire; in 1891 he was boarding in Egerton Green, Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1901 and 1911 he was boarding with the Rogers family at 4 Blantern’s Yard, Green End, Whitchurch; this was the address for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register.

Employment: In 1891 he was a farm cowman; in 1901 and 1911 a general labourer.

Died: Not known

Frank Edmund Kelly

Personal Details

Born: 2 March 1888 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of five children born to Robert Edmund Kelly, a plumber and painter, and his wife Sarah. He married Ellen Annie Comer (known as Nellie) on 18 August 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and together they had four children – Hugh Henry, Stanley, William and Helen (who sadly died in infancy).

Residence: In 1891 he lived with his family in Church Street, Ightfield, Shropshire; by 1901 they had moved to 8 Brownlow Street, Whitchurch. Frank enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1907; at some point he emigrated to Canada, settling in Montreal. In 1935 he was living at 677 6th Avenue, Montreal.

Education: He was admitted to Ightfield School on 1 May 1893 and left in November 1898.

Employment: Prior to joining the Navy in 1907 he was a painter; he served in the Royal Navy from 1907 to 1919; at some time after he emigrated he served in the Royal Canadian Navy; in 1935 he was a janitor.

Died: 25 October 1943 in Montreal, aged 54.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Navy

Rank: Able Seaman

Service Number: J10002 (previously SS2034)

Date of Enlistment: 13 August 1907

Date of Discharge: 15 August 1919

Reason for Discharge: Completion of contracted period of service

Medals and Awards

Frank was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

John Thomas Speed

Personal Details

Born: 24 November 1897 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of seven children born to John Speed, a builder’s labourer, and his wife Martha. He married Ada E Davis in 1918 in Braintree, Essex and together they had seven children – Ronald J, Kenneth A, Eric S, Joyce A, Arma D, John and Douglas B.

Residence: In 1901 he was living in Chemistry, Whitchurch with his family; by 1911 they had moved to 39 Newtown, Whitchurch which was the address for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register. In 1939 he was living at Copes Cottage, Church Street, Braintree.

Employment: In 1939 he was a bricklayer.

Died: In 1982 in Braintree.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously South Lancashire Regiment and King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: T/387022 (previously 31125 and 4272)

Date of Enlistment: 1 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 10 September 1919

Reason for Discharge: Sickness

Other Information: His father, John Speed, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (number 457916)

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Thomas Woodvine Jnr.

Personal Details

Born: 20 June 1894 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and baptised on 22 July 1894 at All Saints Church, Shrewsbury.

Family: He was the third of five children born to Thomas Woodvine, a foreman carter on the railway, and his wife Anne. He married Nellie Billingsley on 4 August 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. There were two children born to the couple, Thomas W R and Betty. Nellie died in 1938 and Thomas married Elsie Dawson in 1942 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. No children can be found for this marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he, his parents and siblings were living at Canal Wharf House, 108 New Park Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. By 1911 the family had moved to 1 Railway Street, Crewe, Cheshire. An address of 26 Worthington Street was given for him on his military documents, this was the home of his mother, Anne and is also the address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List. In 1939 he was living at 29 High Street, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was working in the Locomotive Department of the London and North Western Railway. His occupation at the time of his attestation in 1916 was described as a motor driver and on his marriage registration in 1919 as a chauffeur. By 1939 he was a lorry driver.

Died: 1970 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire.

George Orlando Woodvine

Personal Details

Born: 27 March 1898 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Thomas Woodvine, a foreman carter on the railway and his wife Anne. He married Florrie Crewe in 1923 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Marguerite, born in 1925 in Whitchurch. Sadly Florrie died in 1926. George married Florence M Evans in 1931 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The couple had a daughter, Catherine P, born in 1943 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire (possible).

Residence: In 1901 he, his parents and siblings were living at Canal Wharf House, 108 New Park Road, Shrewsbury. By 1911 the family had moved to 1 Railway Street, Crewe, Cheshire. An address of 26 Worthington Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List, this was the home of his mother, Anne. In 1939 he was living with his wife Florence at Brynderwen Cottage, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

Employment: In 1939 he was a chauffeur mechanic.

Died: 1972 in Caerleon, Monmouthshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Tank Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 201602

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: George`s brothers, William and Thomas also served in WW1

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William Woodvine

Personal Details

Born: 1888, in Atcham, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Thomas Woodvine, a railway foreman carter and his wife Anne. He married Hetty Arnold in 1919 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two sons, William Orlando and Hedley Arnold.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at New Park Terrace, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In 1901 they were living at Canal Wharf House, New Park Road, Shrewsbury. An address of 26 Worthington Street , Whitchurch, was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List, this was the home of his mother, Anne. The 1939 Register has an address of 32 Harding Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire for his wife and son Hedley, however William`s name does not appear.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 183210

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: William`s brothers, George Orlando and Thomas also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Thomas Edward Wynn

Personal Details

Born: In 1877 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 7 October the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. His surname was also spelled Wynne.

Family: He was the son of Ellen Wynn, a servant. He married Violet Clemson in 1917 in Whitchurch and together they had eight children – Mary E, Thomas J, William F, Reginald, Robert, Vera B, Donald and Daniel.

Residence: Thomas’s mother was living in the Workhouse in Whitchurch when he was baptised. In 1881 he was living with his uncle and aunt in Castle Hill, Whitchurch. By 1891 he was still living with them, but at 1 Railway Inn Yard, Green End, Whitchurch; by 1901 they had moved to 12 Station Road, Whitchurch. In 1911 they were living at 4 Station Road, Whitchurch which was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1901 he was a shop assistant; in 1911 he was a bricklayer’s labourer.

Died: In 1938 in Whitchurch and was buried on 14 February the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Thomas Roberts

Personal Details

Born: 20 April 1894 in Moreton Saye, Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fifth of six surviving children born to Henry Roberts, a stockman on a farm, and his wife Martha. He married Dora Vaughan in 1920 in Ellesmere, Shropshire and together they had five children – John T, Edgar K, Irene M, Vera A and Ronald E.

Education: He attended Maer Mixed School from 1900 until the family left the district in 1904.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at Maerfield Gate, Maer, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire; by 1911 they had moved to 2 Mossfields Cottages, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was a clerk; in 1939 he was a smallholder and farmer.

Died: Not known

John Henry Williams

Personal Details

Born: 27 January 1892 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 28 February the same year at the Unitarian Church in Highgate, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of four surviving children born to Henry and Elizabeth Williams. No marriage can be confirmed for John.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1892 the family’s address was 7 Havannah Buildings, Whitchurch. In 1901 John was living with his parents and two younger siblings at 16 Highgate Road, Whitchurch. Ten years later Mrs Williams and three children were residing at 2 Havannah Buildings, Whitchurch while John and his father were lodging in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Employment: In 1911, aged 19, he was working as an iron building erector with his father (who was an employee of the Whitchurch W H Smith iron foundry in the 1901 census). It is likely that both were employed by Smiths and were working on a job for the company in Derbyshire at the time of the 1911 census.

Died: In 1933 in Whitchurch, and was buried on 28 September the same year in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: M2/032927

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Alfred Wright

Personal Details

Born: 15 February 1877 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 26 July 1877 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of seven children born to James Wright, a bricklayer`s labourer, and his wife Elizabeth, nee Chesters. He married Sarah Anne Smith in 1907 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Lizzie and Ellen.

Residence: At the time of his baptism in 1877 and in 1881 his family were living in Green End, Whitchurch. By 1891 they had moved to Bargates, Whitchurch. In 1911 and now married Alfred, his wife and two daughters were living at 8 Castle Hill, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters` List has an address of 2 Scotland Street, Whitchurch, this was the address given for him on his Army pension record. By 1939 he was living at 47 Wayland Road, Whitchurch, which remained his home until his death in 1953.

Employment: In 1911 he was a labourer and in 1939 a car park attendant.

Died: 1953 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried on 20 June 1953 in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Welsh Regiment (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 285197 (previously 203727)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 12 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Bernard Wynne

Personal Details

Born: Birth registered last quarter of 1884 in Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Family: Only child of William Wynne, a canal company clerk, and his wife Mary. Bernard married Ada Williams during the third quarter of 1922 and the marriage was registered in Oswestry. No children can be found for this marriage.

Residence: At the time of the 1891 census the family were living at 94 Argyll Street South, Tranmere, Birkenhead. Ten years later their address was the Shropshire Union Canal Warehouse at Wardle, Nantwich, Cheshire. By 1911 Bernard and his parents had moved to Whitchurch, Shropshire and were living at 42 Wrexham Road and it was this address that appeared on the 1919 Absent Voters’ list for him. In 1939 Bernard and Ada were residing at 31 Walton Heath Road, Lr Walton, Runcorn, Cheshire and they were still there in 1951.

Employment: In 1901 Bernard was working as a clerk for the canal company and was still in the same occupation in 1911. The 1939 Register listed him as a railway clerk.

Died: Aged 66 on 7 April 1951, the death was registered in Runcorn.

Military Details

Regiment: Honourable Artillery Company

Rank: Private

Service Number: 9857

Date of Enlistment: 9 January 1917

Date of Discharge: 10 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Disembarked in Le Havre, France on 28 March 1917

Medals and Awards

Bernard was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

John Thomas Williams

Personal Details

Born: In 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 8 May the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. He was known as Jack.

Family: He was the second of three children born to James Williams, a labourer, and his wife Elizabeth Mary. No marriage can be confirmed for Jack.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, his family were living in Newtown, Whitchurch. By 1901 they had moved to 5 Railway Inn Yard, Station Road, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register had an address of 11 Alkington Road for him.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Royal Rifle Corps (previously London Regiment and Royal Army Service Corps).

Rank: Private

Service Number: A/204622 (previously 540695 and 10761)

Date of Enlistment: Prior to 21 August 1915

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother Frederick William Williams, his half brother James Bithell and his uncle Harry Williams also served in WW1. Jack was wounded twice in 1918 and was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Harry Williams

Personal Details

Born: 15 July 1880 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 13 August the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the sixth of eight children born to James Williams, a carter, and his wife Harriet. No marriage can be traced for Harry.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, the family were living in Green End, Whitchurch. By 1881 they were living at 3 Railway Inn Yard, where they continued to live until at least 1901. In 1911 he had moved next door to number 5, living with his brother James and his family. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register for him has an address of 11 Alkington Road, Whitchurch. In 1939 and until his death he was living at 18 Highgate, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1901 and 1911 he was a general labourer; in 1939 he was a carpenter helper.

Died: In 1947 in Whitchurch, aged 67 and was buried on 22 August the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 11639

Date of Enlistment: Before 22 May 1915

Date of Discharge: 5 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was twice wounded, in 1915 and 1917, and was entitled to wear a wound stripe. He was reported missing on 13 May 1918, was confirmed prisoner of war 16 October 1918 and returned 1 January 1919. His nephews Frederick William Williams and John Thomas (Jack) Williams and step nephew James Bithell also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

John Williams

Personal Details

Born: In 1895 in Norbury, Cheshire and baptised in Marbury Parish Church on 31 July the same year.

Family: He was the second of six children born to Joseph Williams, a labourer, and his wife Emily. No marriage can be confirmed for John.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Norbury; in 1901 they were living in Bickley and in 1911 at 20 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register had an address of 22 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch which we suspect is the same address.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

William Thornton

Personal Details

Born: 1899 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the elder of two children born to William Thornton, a general labourer, and his wife Martha. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: In 1901 his family were living at 10 West End, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 they had moved to 54 Oddfellows Cottages, Whitchurch. The address on his military documents and on the 1919 Absent Voters’ List was 54 Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch (54 Oddfellows Cottages and 54 Smallbrook Road are the same address).

Employment: The occupation given for him on his Attestation was a gardener.

Died: Not known

Harry Fowles

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: WR/268817 (previously 256078)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Harry was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

George Webster

Personal Details

Born: 17 February 1895 in Liverpool, Lancashire and baptised on 3 April the same year at All Saints Church, Stoneycroft, Lancashire.

Family: Lived with father William Alfred, mother Annie and sister and brothers Hilda, Albert, Richard and Stanley. He married Hilda Lewis in 1919 in Prestwich, Lancashire. No children can be confirmed for the marriage.

Residence: Born in Liverpool and moved to Whitchurch sometime between 1895 and 1899 (sister Hilda was born in Whitchurch in 1899). In 1901 he was living at Fountain House, Dodington, Whitchurch; by 1911 he had moved to Gig Lane Cottage, Whitchurch which is his address on the 1919 Absent Voters’ List. The 1939 Register shows him living with his wife, Hilda, in Staffordshire. He died in or near Shrewsbury.

Employment: 1911 Census lists him as a grocer’s assistant. Army documents list him as a solicitor’s clerk; in 1939 he was a food cost accountant.

Died: In 1977 registered in Shrewsbury.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 307195

Date of Enlistment: 4 February 1916

Date of Discharge: 14 November 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

George Frank Harper

Personal Details

Born: 6 September 1897 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of six children born to George Harper, a blacksmith, and his wife Ann. He married Sarah Amy Richmond in 1915 in West Derby, Lancashire and together they had five children – George T F, Frederick G, Annie I, Albert W and Doreen M. George and Sarah separated in 1935.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family at 24 Egerton Road, Whitchurch; by 1911 they had moved to 1 Brae Side, Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. His service record shows two addresses: 119 Opie Street, off Netherland Road, Liverpool and 6 Roseville, Everton, Liverpool. In 1939 George was living, separated from his family, at 11 Newark Street, Liverpool which was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: When he enlisted in 1914 he was a blacksmith; in 1939 he was an electric tram driver.

Died: 30 September 1950 in Liverpool, aged 53.

Bernard Mitchell

Personal Details

Born: 8 September 1894 in Trentham, Staffordshire and baptised on 27 January 1895 in Trentham Parish Church.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Frederick Mitchell, a groom – later a publican, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Violet A Wheeldon in 1921 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and together they had two children – Frederick Richard and Clement B.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family lived in Trentham; by 1901 they had moved to the Wellington Inn, St. John Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire where Frederick was publican. In 1911 he was living at The Globe, Broad Lane, Stapeley, Cheshire. The address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register was 148 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, this was the home of his mother, Elizabeth. In 1939 he was living at Mount Pleasant, Hollyhurst, Marbury, Cheshire. At the time of his death he lived at Clematis Cottage, Marbury, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 he worked in the furnishing trade; in 1939 he was a coal merchant and smallholder.

Died: 3 November 1967 in Marbury, aged 73.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Driver

Service Number: 91083

Date of Enlistment: 1 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 26 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Bernard was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

James Thomas

Personal Details

Born: 26 January 1878 in Chester, Cheshire.

Family: He married Martha Badrock in 1903 in Chester, Cheshire. The couple had two children, Edith Mabel and Hilda.

Residence: In 1911 James, his wife and two children were living at 22 Green End, Whitchurch, Shropshire. The 1919 Absent Voters` List has an address of 2 Cambrian View, Whitchurch, Shropshire for him. This was also the address on his Pension Ledger and Index Card. In 1939 his family were living at 18 Claypit Street, Whitchurch. This continued to be his address until his death in 1952.

Employment: He was a butcher.

Died: 1952 in Whitchurch, aged 73, and buried in Whitchurch cemetery 12 January 1952.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 611849 (previously 237157)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 21 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Cecil Harold Williams

Personal Details

Born: 31 August 1896 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 19 September 1896 in St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to Richard William Williams, a baker and confectioner, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Annie Louise Heaton in 1924 in Chorlton, Lancashire. (The couple may have had two children, Edgar and Malcolm).

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1919 he and his family were living at 46 Green End, Whitchurch. By 1939 Cecil and his wife were living at 18 High Street, Gorton, Manchester, Lancashire. This was still his home at the time of his death in 1947.

Employment: He was a baker and confectioner.

Died: 16 November 1947 in Manchester, Lancashire, aged 51.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: S/388613

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: His brother, Kenneth, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Cecil was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Kenneth William Thomas Williams

Personal Details

Born: 20 March 1899 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of three children born to Richard William Williams, a baker and confectioner and his wife Elizabeth. He married Lucy Edith Attwood in 1925 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. No children can be definitively found for the marriage.

Residence: From 1901 until at least 1919 he was living at 46 Green End, Whitchurch. In 1929 and ten years later in 1939 his address was 398 Eccles New Road, Salford, Lancashire. At the time of his death in 1977 he was living at 32 Whitelodge Park, Shawbury, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a baker and confectioner.

Died: 8 April 1977 in North Shropshire, aged 72.

Military Personnel – surnames starting with B

Men from Whitchurch and the surrounding area who served in the Great War whose surnames begin with the letter B. Some died in action; the majority returned to resume civilian life. We have sought to record their lives in one place. If you have any further information about any of these men, please get in touch at the email address shown below.

Whitchurch Museum and Archives

You can search for a name in the table and view the details by clicking on ‘Further information’.

Surname	Given Names	Survived or died	Further Information
Bacon	Ernest Leslie	Survived	View Details
Badrock	Harry	Survived	View Details
Bagley	William James	Died	View Details
Bailey	George Thomas	Survived	View Details
Bailey	John Alfred	Died	View Details
Bailey	William Philip	Survived	View Details
Baker	Geoffrey	Died	View Details
Baker	William	Died	View Details
Bamber	Roy Marston	Survived	View Details
Bamforth	Henry Wycherley	Survived	View Details
Barber	Clive Richard	Died	View Details
Barlow	John	Died	View Details
Barlow	Randle	Survived	View Details
Barlow	Stanley	Survived	View Details
Barlow	Sydney	Died	View Details
Barlow	Thomas	Died	View Details
Barlow	William	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Barlow	William Herbert Victor	Died	View Details
Barnett	John Dennis	Survived	View Details
Barrett	William Lodwicke	Died	View Details
Barron	Frank Thomas	Died	View Details
Barron	George Frederick	Survived	View Details
Basford	Frank	Survived	View Details
Basford	George	Survived	View Details
Bate	John Thomas	Died	View Details
Bate	George William	Died	View Details
Bateman	Frederick	Died	View Details
Batho	George	Died	View Details
Batho	Philip	Survived	View Details
Batho	Stephen	Survived	View Details
Batho	Thomas William	Survived	View Details
Baumken	Gordon William	Survived	View Details
Baxter	Frederick Arthur	Survived	View Details
Bayley	William	Died	View Details
Beard	Peter	Died	View Details
Bebbington	Charles	Died	View Details
Bebbington	Godfrey William	Survived	View Details
Bebbington	Herbert	Died	View Details
Bebbington	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Bebbington	Thomas Edward	Died	View Details
Bebbington	Walter Ernest	Survived	View Details
Beckett	George	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Beckett	George	Survived	View Details
Beckett	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Beckett	Percy	Died	View Details
Beckett	William	Died	View Details
Beddoe	Ronald James Stewart	Survived	View Details
Beddow	William	Survived	View Details
Beddows	Harry	Survived	View Details
Beddows	Thomas	Survived	View Details
Bedford	Cecil	Died	View Details
Beech	Edward	Survived	No further information available
Beech	Ernest Edgar	Survived	View Details
Beech	John Henry	Survived	View Details
Beech	Midgley James	Survived	View Details
Beech	Thomas Conway	Survived	View Details
Beeks	Hugh William	Survived	View Details
Beesley	Horace James	Survived	View Details
Belfield	William	Survived	View Details
Benbow	Oswald	Survived	View Details
Bennett	William Charles	Died	View Details
Bennion	Charles Herbert	Survived	View Details
Bennion	Francis Robert	Survived	View Details
Bennion	George	Survived	View Details
Bennion	George	Survived	View Details
Bennion	Walter James	Survived	View Details
Bennion	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Bennion	William Robert	Survived	View Details
Benskin	Samuel Frederick	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Benyon	James	Died	View Details
Berry	Edgar	Died	View Details
Bethel	Walter A	Died	View Details
Bickell	William Burt	Died	View Details
Bickers	Edward	Died	View Details
Bickley	Harry	Died	View Details
Birch	Arthur Rice	Died	View Details
Birch	Francis Joseph	Survived	View Details
Birch	Andrew Thomas	Died	View Details
Birchall	Douglas Thomas Wright	Survived	View Details
Birchall	Robert	Survived	View Details
Birchall	William	Died	View Details
Birchall	William Vincent	Survived	View Details
Bird	Ernest Albert	Survived	View Details
Bithell	James William	Survived	View Details
Black	Frederick Beardsall	Survived	View Details
Blencowe	Albert Edward	Survived	View Details
Blencowe	Frank	Survived	View Details
Blencowe	George	Survived	View Details
Blencowe	Harry	Survived	View Details
Blencowe	Percy	Died	View Details
Blencowe	William	Survived	View Details
Bloor	Frank	Died	View Details
Boaz	John Thomas	Survived	View Details
Boaz	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Bond	Horace Lewis	Died	View Details
Booth	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Bostock	Mason Leslie	Died	View Details
Bowker	Leonard Henry	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Bowler	Thomas Chester	Died	View Details
Boycott	George	Died	View Details
Boycott	Thomas	Died	View Details
Boyle	James	Survived	View Details
Boyle	John	Died	View Details
Boylin	William	Died	View Details
Boynton	Charles	Survived	View Details
Bradley	Francis George	Survived	No further information available
Bradley	Frank Henry	Died	View Details
Bradley	William	Died	View Details
Bradley	William Goodwin	Died	View Details
Bradshaw	George	Died	View Details
Bradshaw	Wilfred Henry	Died	View Details
Bradshaw	William Thomas	Died	View Details
Branford	Percival	Survived	View Details
Brayn	Charles Alfred	Survived	View Details
Brayn	Wilfred	Survived	View Details
Breese	John Samuel	Died	View Details
Brellisford	William James	Died	View Details
Breslin	Frederick	Died	View Details
Breslin	Reuben	Died	View Details
Briggs	George	Survived	View Details
Bright	Frederick William	Survived	View Details
Bright	Thomas	Survived	No further information available
Brindley	Samuel	Survived	View Details
Bristow	Sidney	Survived	View Details
Broadbent	Neville	Survived	View Details
Brookes	George William	Died	View Details
Brookes	Mark	Survived	View Details
Brookes	William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Brookfield	Sidney James	Died	View Details
Broom	William	Survived	View Details
Broomfield	John	Survived	Did not serve in WW1; discharged prior to the start of the war
Broomfield	John Reginald	Died	View Details
Broomfield	Richard William	Survived	View Details
Broster	William Thomas	Survived	View Details
Brough	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Brown	Alfred	Died	View Details
Brown	Arthur	Survived	View Details
Brown	George	Survived	View Details
Brown	Harry	Survived	View Details
Brown	John	Died	View Details
Brownlie	Jack	Survived	View Details
Bruckshaw	Horace	Died	View Details
Bryan	William John	Survived	View Details
Buckley	Samuel Herbert	Died	View Details
Bulkeley	Charles Ivor Rivers	Died	View Details
Bulkeley	Thomas Henry Rivers	Died	View Details
Bull	John Francis	Died	View Details
Burge	Edwin Charles	Survived	View Details
Burgess	Edwin	Survived	No further information available
Burgess	Eric Ralph	Survived	View Details
Burgess	John Clifford	Survived	View Details
Burgess	Joseph	Survived	View Details
Burgess	Norman Platt	Survived	View Details
Burke	John	Survived	View Details
Burke	Patrick	Survived	View Details
Burns	John	Survived	View Details
Burns	John Henry	Died	View Details
Burrows	George Percy	Died	View Details
Burrows	John James	Survived	View Details
Burrows	William Ernest	Died	View Details
Bussey	John Richard	Survived	View Details
Butler	Arthur	Died	View Details
Butler	Harold	Survived	View Details
Butler	John	Survived	No further information available
Butterworth	Andrew	Survived	View Details

Harold John Parton

Personal Details

Born: 14 June 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church on 5 September the same year.

Family: He was the second of four children born to William Parton, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Ann. He married Ada Sumner in 1940 in Whitchurch and together they had one child, Harold J.

Residence: In 1891 he lived at Black Park, Brick Kiln Lane, Whitchurch; in 1911 he was visiting his sister and her husband at 47 Yardington, Whitchurch. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows his address as 47 Newtown, Whitchurch; he lived at this address in 1939.

Employment: In 1911 he was a dock porter; in 1939 he was a general labourer.

Died: In 1952 in Whitchurch, aged 65.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Rank: Petty Officer

Service Number: Mersey Z/447

Date of Enlistment: 31 May 1915

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Harold was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal)

Campaign Medals

William Wragg

Personal Details

Born: Either 16 September or 17 October 1893 and birth registered at Ellesmere, Shropshire during the last quarter of 1893.

Family: William was the second son of Thomas and Ann Wragg. In 1915 he married Nellie Platt and the marriage was registered in Whitchurch. Together the couple had at least eight children between 1915 and 1935, Keta, Nellie, Annie, Elsie, Harry, Freda, Denis, and Brenda. There was possibly also a William born in 1924.

Residence: In 1901 the Wragg family were living in Hollins Lane, Tilstock near Whitchurch. Ten years later, aged 17, William was living-in at a farm he was working on in Tybroughton, Flintshire. At the time of the Absent Voters’ list of 1919 his address was 7 Bark Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 William, Nellie, William’s brother Thomas plus eight children were living at 3 Smallbrook Buildings, Whitchurch.

Employment: William was working as a cowman on a farm in 1911. In 1939 he was still employed in agriculture, being listed as a horseman on a farm.

Died: Aged 79 in Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 4 December 1972.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps (previously Labour Corps and before Liverpool Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: R/458613 (previously 46640 and 70600)

Date of Enlistment: Prior to October 1917

Date of Discharge: After 10 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Hospitalised with enteritis in October 1917 when serving with 78th Labour Company of the Labour Corps.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Harry Hall

Personal Details

Born: In 1896 in Whitchurch Shropshire and baptised on 9 August the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to Mary Hall. He married Emma Cracknell in 1916 in Whitchurch and together they had two children, Marjorie E and Margaret E.

Residence: At the time of his baptism his mother was living in the Whitchurch Union Workhouse. By 1901 they had moved to 51 Claypit Street, Whitchurch and by 1911 to 8B St. John’s Street, Whitchurch. He was discharged in 1918 to 60 Brooknock Road, Kentish Town, London which was his wife’s address whilst he was serving in the military.

Employment: In 1911 he was an errand boy; in 1918 he was a police constable.

Died: Not known

Alfred Williams

Personal Details

Born: 21 July 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 31 July the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the elder of two children born to John Williams, a general labourer, and his wife Mary. He married Louisa Crewe in 1911 in Whitchurch; no children can be confirmed for the marriage.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his family in Bark Hill Yard, Whitchurch; by 1901 they had moved to 3 Barlow’s Yard, Whitchurch and by 1911 to 5 Barlow’s Yard. The address shown for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register was 45 Claypit Street, Whitchurch; he continued to live there until his death in 1954.

Employment: In 1911 he was a dock labourer; in 1939 he was a storeman in a cheese factory.

Died: In 1954 in Whitchurch, aged 65 and was buried on 22 December that year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 24371

Date of Enlistment: August 1915

Date of Discharge: December 1918

Reason for Discharge: Not Known

Other Information: He was taken prisoner of war at Kemmel on 13 August 1918.

Medals and Awards

Alfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Charles William Williams

Personal Details

Born: 21 June 1897 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the younger of two children born to John Williams, a labourer, and his wife Alice. He married Dorothy Bowdler on 24 December 1925 in Malinslee, Shropshire and together they had one child, John A.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at 12 Yardington, Whitchurch with his family; by 1911 they had moved to 2 Canal Cottages, Chemistry, Whitchurch; this was the address for him shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register. In 1939 he was living at Rosedene, Chemistry, Whitchurch (this may be the same residence) and he continued to live there until his death in 1946.

Employment: In 1939 he was a plumber working for Whitchurch Urban District Council; he was also a member of the ARP water gang.

Died: In 1946 in Whitchurch, aged 48, and was buried on 13 May that year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 59782

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 29 August 1918) and the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal).

Military Medal

Campaign Medals

Frank Harry Williams

Personal Details

Born: 4 December 1885 in Whixall, Shropshire and baptised on 14 March 1886 in the Wesleyan-Methodist Chapel, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the second of seven children born to Charles Henry Williams, a coal merchant, and his wife Annie. He married Janet H Bebb in 1919 in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales; research suggests they had at least three children – Barbara, Henry and James.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1901 he lived with his family in Platt Lane, Whixall. In 1911 he was visiting his sister Nellie at 16 Hospital Street, Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1939 he lived with his wife and children at Cloverley, Ceiriog, Denbighshire, Wales; this was his address at the time of his death in 1973.

Employment: In 1911 he was a stone and coal merchant; in 1939 he was the managing director of a limestone quarry.

Died: 15 June 1973 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, aged 87.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Major

Service Number:

Date of Enlistment: December 1915 under Lord Derby

Date of Discharge: After January 1918

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Citation in 5 July 1918 London Gazette: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack he took charge of a party of forty volunteers and superintended the digging of trenches, which were to form a point of resistance. This task was successfully carried out, though the enemy had advanced to within machine gun range. He showed great courage and coolness, and was awarded the Military Cross.”

Medals and Awards

Frank was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Military Cross.

Campaign Medals

Military Cross

Click on the tag below to see details of each recipient.

Henry Williams

Personal Details

Born: 25 July 1880 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 13 August the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the third of four children born to John Williams, a gardener, and his wife Ann. He married Sarah Elizabeth Groom on 26 April 1905 at the Church of our Saviour, Highgate, Whitchurch; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: At the time of his baptism, his family were living in Chester Road, Whitchurch; they continued to live there, initially at number 39 and in 1901 at number 31. In 1911 he lived at 81 Alkington Road, Whitchurch where he continued to live until his death in 1967.

Employment: In 1901 he was a saddler’s apprentice; in 1911 he was a harness maker. In 1939 he was an insurance agent.

Died: 23 March 1967 in Whitchurch, aged 86, and was buried on 28 March the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Driver

Service Number: 213809

Date of Enlistment: 1 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 1 September 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Henry was awarded the British War Medal.

Campaign Medals

Harold Williams

Personal Details

Born: In 1897 in Norbury, Cheshire and baptised on 30 April the same year in Marbury Parish Church.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Joseph Williams, a farm labourer, and his wife Emily. He married Ada Mary Braddock in 1928 in Congleton, Cheshire and together they had two children – Patricia M and Peter J.

Residence: His family were living in Norbury at the time of his baptism; by 1901 they had moved to Bickley, Cheshire. In 1911 they were living at 20 Liverpool Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire; the address shown for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register was 22 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch (which is likely to be the same address). In 1939 he was living at 10 Main Street, Stoughton, Leicestershire and this was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: When he enlisted in 1915 he was a butcher; in 1939 he worked in the goods yard for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway; he was also an ARP warden.

Died: 17 September 1960 at the Isolation Hospital, Leicester, aged 63.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: W/2820

Date of Enlistment: 1 April 1915

Date of Discharge: 10 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother John Williams also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Harold was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

John Ernest George Jones

Personal Details

Born: 18 March 1900 in Tilstock, Shropshire and baptised on 15 April the same year in Tilstock Parish Church.

Family: He was the fourth of nine children born to George Jones, a farm wagonner, and his wife Harriet Ann. He married Ivy G Gill in 1935 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and together they had two children – Joy G and David G.

Residence: In 1901 he lived with his family in Tilstock Village, Whitchurch, Shropshire; by 1911 they had moved to 3 The Poplars, Uppington, Wellington, Shropshire. In 1939 he was living at 35 Hatton Crescent, Wednesfield, Staffordshire.

Employment: In 1918 he was a farm labourer; in 1939 he was a labourer in a tyre factory.

Died: In 1992 in Wolverhampton, aged 92.

Horace William Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 18 September 1900 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of six children born to Arthur Joyce, a turret clock maker, and his wife Jessie. Arthur and Jessie divorced and Arthur died in 1911, being buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 1 August that year. Horace married Harriet Louisa Holland Paul on 17 April 1928 in Queensland Australia; no children can be confirmed for the marriage. The book ‘Joyce of Whitchurch Clockmakers 1690 – 1965’ identifies that Horace met Corinne Rosalie Hall in the 1940s and together they had twins William Barnett and Corinne Sandra. The 1954 electoral register shows them married and living together in Swan Street, Shorncliffe, Lilley, Queensland; we must assume that Horace and his first wife had divorced.

Education: He attended Market Drayton County Grammar School between 2 May 1911 and 3 April 1912 followed by Whitchurch Boys’ Grammar School between 2 May 1912 and 5 April 1916.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at the family home, 40 High Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 he had moved to Great Haywood, Colwich, N. Stafford. When he was admitted to Market Drayton County Grammar School in May 1911 he was living in Station Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire; when he was admitted to Whitchurch Boys’ Grammar School in May 1912 he was living at 44 Station Road, Whitchurch. He emigrated to Australia between 1916 and 1928, settling in Queensland. In 1931 he lived in Alice Street, Maryborough, Wide Bay, Queensland, Australia. By 1934 he had moved to Balgownie House, Bourbon Street, Bundaberg, Queensland and in 1937 he lived at Bank’s , Bingern Street, Bundaberg. In 1943 he was living in Graham Street, Ayr, Herbert, Queensland; and in 1954 in Swan Street, Shorncliffe, Lilley, Queensland. In 1958 he was living at 32 Queen’s Road, Hamilton, Queensland.

Employment: When he left school in 1916 he joined Joyces Clock Makers as an apprentice. In 1928, and now living in Australia, he was a biograph operator; in 1934 a sound projectionist; in 1954 a biograph inspector and in 1958 a brass worker.

Died: 7 February 1962 in Queensland.

Walter Dennis Joyce

Personal Details

Born: 20 August 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 9 September the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the youngest of four children born to Walter Conway Joyce, a clockmaker, and his wife Edith Mary. He married Winifred Isobel Cooper in 1936 in Liverpool, Lancashire and appears to have been known as Walter Dennis Cooper Joyce from that time. Walter and Winifred were divorced and Walter married Lilian Entwistle in 1952 in Liverpool. No children can be confirmed for either marriage.

Residence: In 1901 he was living with his family at 17 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch; by 1911 they had moved to 25 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. In 1929 he was living at 39 Elm Vale, Fairfield, Liverpool and in 1950 at 305 Eaton Road, Liverpool. At the time of his death he lived at 74 Barnfield Drive, Liverpool.

Employment: In 1917 when he was admitted into the Freemason’s Priory Lodge in Birkenhead he was an electrician; in 1939 he was an electrical engineer.

Died: 6 February 1966 at Sefton General Hospital, Liverpool.

George Harold Taylor

Personal Details

Born: 19 August 1891 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third of eleven children born to Herbert Taylor, a joiner, and his wife Jane. He married Annie Williams in 1917 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. The couple had six children – George T H, John A E, Enid E, Sylvia J, Vera C and Rita J.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1911 George was living in Claypit Street, Whitchurch, in 1901 at no.10 and by 1911 at no. 20. On the 1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch an address of 16 Bargates was given for him, though no other evidence can be found to connect him with this address. In 1939 he and his family were living at 40 New Street, Wem, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a tailor. By 1939 he was a postman.

Died: 1948 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, aged 57.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 11638

Date of Enlistment: Prior to 22 May 1915

Date of Discharge: 15 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He was a Prisoner of War from 21 March 1918. His brother, Ernest, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Jesse Wilson

Personal Details

Born: 8 September 1879 (1939 Register has date of birth as 28 September) in Louth, Lincolnshire and baptised 18 January 1885 at St Michael`s Parish Church, Louth.

Family: He was the fourth of eleven children born to Ephraim Wilson, a fishmonger, and his wife Anne. He married Margaret Ann Parsons on 24 March 1913 at St. Ann`s Croft Parish Church, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Muriel Doreen, born in 1914 and Gwendoline born in 1916.

Residence: In 1881 his family were living at 23 Mount Pleasant, Louth, Lincolnshire. By 1891 they had moved to Queen Street, Louth, where they continued to live until at least 1901. In 1911 Jesse was a boarder at 28 Park Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. An address of 55 Green End, Whitchurch was given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List for Whitchurch. Twenty years later he and his wife were living at Lydford, Kingsway, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1948.

Employment: He was a hairdresser in 1901 and 1911; in 1939 he was a billiard hall proprietor.

Died: 5 September 1948 in Whitchurch, aged 68 and buried on 8 September in Whitchurch Cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 171053

Date of Enlistment: 8 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 21 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Jesse was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Edwin George Wilson

Personal Details

Born: 1899 in West Derby, Lancashire (possible).

Family: On the 1901 Census he was Edwin George Williams, said to be the nephew of David Wilson, a grocer`s porter and his wife Hannah, but by the time of the 1911 Census he was their son, Edwin George Wilson. He married Gertrude V.D. Ridgeway in 1922 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had three children, Joyce, Phillippa and Maureen. Sometime between 1939 and 1947 the couple appear to have divorced, both remarrying in 1947. Edwin married Elizabeth Williams. No children can be traced for this marriage.

Residence: From at least 1901 until 1919 Edwin lived at 10 Bark Hill, Whitchurch. In 1939 his address was 10 Mile Bank Road, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1975, his home was 51 Sharps Drive, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was a private chauffeur and mechanic.

Died: In 1975 at The Cottage Hospital, Whitchurch and was buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 27 March that year.

Military Details

Regiment: East Lancashire Regiment.

Rank: Private

Service Number: 30692

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Edwin was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

George Wilson

Personal Details

Born: 29 May 1887 in the Whitchurch registration district and baptised on 3 July 1887 at St. Michael`s Parish Church, Marbury, Cheshire.

Family: He was the eldest of three surviving children born to George Henry Wilson, a farm labourer, and his wife Mary. He married Ellen Tyler in 1914 in Tenbury, Worcestershire. The couple had two children, Arthur George and Harold R.

Residence: In 1891 he was living with his parents in Norbury, Cheshire. Ten years later they were living in Wirswall, near Whitchurch. In 1919 the Absent Voters` List had an address of 29 Park Road, Whitchurch for him. This continued to be his home until his death in 1962.

Employment: He was working in a locomotive stores in 1939.

Died: In 1962 in Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 25 September the same year, aged 75.

William Henry Windsor

Personal Details

Born: 8 October 1892.

Family: He married Emily Frances O`Neill in 1917 in Preston, Lancashire. The couple had two children George William and Kathleen A.

Residence: In 1919 an address of 43b Newtown, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him on the Absent Voters` List. By 1939 he and his family were living at 10 Brooklands, Chester Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1939 he was a council labourer working on the roads.

Died: In 1974 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 20 June the same year, aged 81.

Bernard Powell Wisdom

Personal Details

Born: 16 November 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the elder of two children born to Ernest George Wisdom, a domestic butler, and his wife Elizabeth, nee Powell. He married Elizabeth Robinson in 1929 in Wem, Shropshire. The couple had a daughter, Sheila Elizabeth born in 1940.

Residence: In 1901 he and his parents were living at 17 Bark Hill, Whitchurch. By 1911 they had moved to Fountain House, Sedgeford, Whitchurch. The address given for Bernard on the 1919 Absent Voters` List was 2 Sedgeford, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living with his wife at 66 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch; this continued to be his home until his death in 1963.

Education: From 19 September 1912 until 7 May 1914 he attended Whitchurch Boys` Grammar School.

Employment: He was a letterpress printer.

Died: 17 November 1963 at Deermoss Hospital, Whitchurch and buried 21 November the same year in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 65.

Military Details

Regiment: Welsh Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 61289

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Bernard was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Robert Buckley Witts

Personal Details

Born: 13 October 1877 in Nantwich, Cheshire and baptised 6 June 1881 at St. Michael`s Parish Church, Coventry, Warwickshire.

Family: He was the sixth of at least seven children born to Francis Buckley Witts, a painter, and his wife Ann. He married Clara Jennings in 1907 in Nantwich, Cheshire; the couple had four children; Doris, Maurice, Christina and Eric.

Residence: At the time of his birth, his family were living in Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1881 their address was 26 Woodland Terrace, Crewe, Cheshire. In 1901 he was a boarder at 38 Lewis Street, Monks Coppenhall, Nantwich, Cheshire. By 1911, now married with a daughter, they were living at 52 Ford Lane, Crewe, Cheshire. On the1919 Absent Voters` List an address of 1 Edgeley Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire was given for him, however no other connection with Whitchurch can be found. From at least 1939 until the time of his death in 1949 his home was Richmond Cottage, Bishopton Lane, Ripon, Yorkshire.

Employment: On the 1901 Census his occupation was described as an iron moulder. Railway employment records show that from 1891 until 1910 he working for the London and North Western Railway. In 1911 he was working as an assurance agent and in 1939 a manufacturer`s agent.

Died: 8 October 1949 in Ripon, Yorkshire, aged 71.

William Henry Wyatt

Personal Details

Born: 1 January 1888 and baptised in St Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch on 29 February the same year.

Family: He was the third of six surviving children born to William W and Marion Wyatt. He married Nellie Thelwell in 1913 in Whitchurch and together they had a son in 1931, also named William H Wyatt. Sadly Nellie died during the last quarter of 1938.

Residence: At the time of William’s baptism the family were living in Waymills, Whitchurch and were still there in 1891. By 1901 they had moved to 19 Heath Road, Whitchurch and ten years later were residing at The Firs, Heath Road. In 1917, after their marriage, William and Nellie’s address was 22 Talbot Street, Whitchurch and they were still living there in 1919 according to the Absent Voters’ List. By 1934 William’s address was Briarfield, Tarporley Road, Whitchurch and he and his son were still residing there at the time of the 1939 Register.

Employment: In 1911 his occupation was that of a mechanical engineer. The 1939 Register listed William as the manager and director of a hydraulic and general engineering company; he was also an ARP warden.

Died: During the last quarter of 1974 in North Shropshire, aged 86.

George Arthur Wood

Personal Details

Born: In 1896 in Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Family: He was the sixth of nine children born to James Albert Wood, a canal ticket clerk, and his wife Sarah Jane. He married Minnie Roberts on 31 January 1920 at Criftins by Ellesmere, Shropshire. Minnie died in 1927 and George married Harriet Starkey in 1927 in Market Drayton, Shropshire. The couple had five children (possible) Maureen, Anona, Nora, George and James.

Residence: In 1901 his address was Grindley Brook, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1911 his family were living at Lock House, Grindley Brook, the address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` List. In 1939 he, his wife and children were living at Pound House, Wollerton, Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a plumber in 1911 and 1939.

Died: 1973 in Oswestry, Shropshire.

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 487758 (previously 15585)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 8 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother, James, was killed in action in France on 12 October 1918 and is commemorated on the Whitchurch Town memorial.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Wallace Bailey Welch

Personal Details

Born: 7 October 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of four children of James Welch, a baker, and his wife Eliza. He married Ada Evans on 8 November 1919 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales and together they had one child, Wallace Frederick.

Residence: In 1901, 1911 and 1919 he lived with his family at 5 Claypit Terrace, Whitchurch. In 1939 he was living at 72 Nantwich Road, Crewe, Cheshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a barman; in 1939 he was a cleaner.

Died: 14 February 1968 in Crewe and cremated 19 February the same year, aged 74.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 22434

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Wallace was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

James Rowles Wilkinson

Personal Details

Born: 31 October 1889 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 20 January 1890 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of eight children born to George Wilkinson, a butcher, and his wife Henrietta. He married Evelyn A Edwards in 1944 in Whitchurch and together they had one child, Patricia A.

Residence: He lived with his family until at least 1911 at 28 High Street, Whitchurch. The address shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register was 5 Talbot Street, Whitchurch, the home of his widowed mother. At the time of his death in 1948 he was living at 11 Talbot Street, Whitchurch.

Employment: In 1911 he was assisting in his mother’s butcher’s business.

Died: In 1948 in Wrekin Lodge, Wellington, Shropshire and buried on 22 December the same year in Whitchurch Cemetery, aged 59.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: 200832

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother George also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

James was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

John Wharton

Personal Details

Born: 8 May 1878 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 29 May the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the sixth of ten children born to Thomas Wharton, a chimney sweep, and his wife Anne. He married Jane Penk in 1908 in Whitchurch and together they had six children – Harold, twins Vera and Elsie, John, Phyllis and Stanley (who died from the Spanish flu at the age of two).

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Pearl Yard, Whitchurch; by 1881 they had moved to Green End, Whitchurch. In 1891 they were living in Yardington Street, Whitchurch and by 1901 had moved to 45 Newtown, Whitchurch. Now married with his own children, in 1911 John was living at 14 Newtown, Whitchurch; this was the address shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register. In 1939 he was living at 22 Talbot Crescent, which was his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1901 he was a labourer at an iron foundry; in 1911 he was a lamplighter for the Council. In 1939 he was a corrugated steel sheet shearer and member of the ARP decontamination squad.

Died: 8 February 1959 in Whitchurch, aged 80, and was buried on 21 February the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Other Information: In the mid 1900’s John was the trainer for Whitchurch Football Club.

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Liverpool Regiment

Rank: Private

Service Number: 84615

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 9 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

John was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Frederick Joseph Wilkinson

Personal Details

Born: 28 October 1898 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the eldest of three children born to John W Wilkinson, a saddler and harness maker, and his wife Elizabeth. He married Olive Vera Couture in 1934 (possibly 1935 as the marriage was registered twice) in Westminster, London and together they had twins – Anthony C J and John C F.

Residence: In 1901 he was living in Waymills, Whitchurch, Shropshire with his parents and maternal grandparents; in 1911 the family were living at The Hermitage, Church Street, Whitchurch (where his father was the steward). The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 24 Station Road for Frederick (this is his parents’ home). In 1933 he was living in Police Section House, Ambrosden Street, Westminster (the London Police Section Houses were where young police constables lived prior to their marriage). In 1939 he was living at 21 Thames Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex. His children’s births were registered in 1941 in Denbighshire, Wales and his address at the time of his death was 3 Chalden Place, Little Common, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.

Employment: In 1916 he was a solicitor`s clerk; in 1921 he was a private secretary. In 1933 and 1939 he was a police officer.

Died: 17 May 1974 in Bexhill-on-Sea, aged 75.

Military Details

Regiment: Life Guards

Rank: Trooper

Service Number: 4154 (previously 4188)

Date of Enlistment: 28 October 1916

Date of Discharge: 24 October 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Walter Wilde

Personal Details

Born: 14 March 1877 in Hodnet, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of eight children born to Robert Henry Wilde, a coachman groom, and his wife Jane. He married Gertrude Annie Embrey in 1915 in Whitchurch, Shropshire; no children can be identified for the marriage.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings in Hodnet; by 1891 they had moved to 1 Marine Terrace, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire where they were still living in 1901. In 1911 Walter was living at 31 Claypit Street, Whitchurch with his future wife and mother-in-law. This is the address shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register and where he was living at the time of his death in 1937.

Employment: In 1901 he was a clother’s assistant; in 1911 he was a coal agent and when he enlisted in 1918 he was a clerk.

Died: 8 January 1937 in Whitchurch, aged 59, and was buried on 12 January the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Rank: Clerk

Service Number: 161615

Date of Enlistment: 24 April 1918

Date of Discharge: 30 April 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother George also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Walter was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Charles Henry Lee

Personal Details

Born: 22 February 1891 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 18 March the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of seven children born to Richard Lee, a coach painter, and his wife Maria. He married Edith G Roe, nee Kemp, in 1933 in Coventry, Warwickshire and together they had one child, Kenneth R. Edith had five children from her marriage to John Roe (who died in 1928) – John L, Charles A, Irene E, William H and Albert W.

Residence: From the time of his baptism to at least 1891 he lived with his parents, siblings and his mother’s sister and husband in Leicester Street, Coventry. In 1901 he was living with his parents and siblings at 22 Peel Street, Coventry and by 1911 they had moved to 9 Sandy Lane, Coventry. This was the address shown on his military papers. In 1939 he was living at 31 Bridgeman Road, Coventry.

Employment: He was a coach painter.

Died: In 1963 in Coventry, aged 72.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 43888

Date of Enlistment: 27 October 1914

Date of Discharge: 16 March 1915

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 171217) on 16 March 1915

Silver War Badge

George Newsom Pearson

Personal Details

Born: 6 January 1876 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 6 February the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Richard Pearson, a bank clerk, and his wife Anne, nee Newsom. He married Valentine Marie Monthelier on 30 April 1908 in Fortuna, Argentina. They had at least six children – Kathleen Beatrice, Robert Cosme, Grace Doreen and Walter Patrick all born in Paraguay, Annie Nancy born in Swanage, Dorset and Eileen Bulkeley born in Spain.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Havannah House, Whitchurch; by 1881 they had moved to 25 St. Margaret, Leicester, Leicestershire. In 1891 they lived in Market Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. In 1901 George was serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers in the Boer War in South Africa. At some point after this George travelled to South America, getting married in Argentina and having four children in Paraguay. The family returned from Argentina to the UK on 20 December 1916 to Burton Cottage, Richmond Park Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, the home of his father, Richard. In 1922 his medals were sent to Riegos y Fierra del Ebro S A, Afranlado 491, Barcelona, Spain. In 1939 the family were living at 32 Bootham Crescent, York, Yorkshire; at the time of his death he was living at 51 Stanhope Road, Darlington, Durham.

Employment: In 1900 he enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers giving his occupation as a bank clerk, serving until 1901. The passage from Argentina in 1916 records his occupation as storekeeper and his military attestation in 1917 indicates he was a storekeeper for a Tramway and Electric Power Company. In 1939 he was a purchasing agent and A.R.P. warden.

Died: 25 September 1947 at the Memorial Hospital, Darlington, aged 71.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery (previously Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 174210 (previously 212505)

Date of Enlistment: 10 February 1917

Date of Discharge: 24 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: George served with the Northumberland Fusiliers (number 7528) from 22 January 1900 to 27 May 1901, which included serving in the Boer War in South Africa. His brother Richard Nash served in the North Staffordshire Regiment; his brother Robert William was killed near Ypres on 15 May 1915.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William George Prittie O’Connor

Personal Details

Born: 1 July 1883 in Pattingham, Staffordshire and baptised on 2 August 1883 at Pattingham Parish Church, Staffordshire.

Family: He was the third of four children born to the Rev John Prittie O`Connor, a clerk in Holy Orders, and his wife Elizabeth. No marriage can be found for him.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1891 his family were living in Pattingham, Staffordshire. By 1901 William was a boarder at 33 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton and ten years later in 1911 he was in Folkestone at 8 Oxford Terrace. In 1919 his address on the Absent Voters` List was 20 Green End, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1925 he was living at 111 Alkington Road, Whitchurch and in 1939 at 5 Talbot Street, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1946 he was living at 62 Haygate Road, Wellington, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a bank clerk.

Died: 26 December 1946, Wellington, Shropshire. aged 62.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 171309

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

William Rowe

Personal Details

Born: 1886 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the third child born to William Rowe, a labourer, and his wife Margaret. He married Ethel Mary Madeley on 5 February 1913 at St. John`s Wesleyan Chapel, Whitchurch. The couple had two children, William Arthur born in 1913 and John Wilfred born in 1915.

Residence: In 1891 his family were living at 6 Venables Yard, Whitchurch and in 1901 at 2 Venables Yard. The address given for him in the 1919 Absent Voters` List was 2 Deermoss, this was also the address shown on his demobilisation. In 1939 he and his wife were living at 30 Claypit Street, Whitchurch and this was his home at the time of his death in 1940.

Employment: In 1901 William was a butcher’s boy. He joined up in 1903, stating his occupation as a labourer, and served in the military until 1919. He worked for the railways, being a member of the NUR in 1925 and 1928, and was a railway carter (incapacitated) in 1939.

Died: 1940 in Whitchurch, aged 53, and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 26 February the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 7546 (previously 4803)

Date of Enlistment: 19 October 1903

Date of Discharge: 3 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: He suffered shrapnel wounds to the back in 1914, a gunshot wound to the right knee in 1917 and a gunshot wound to the arm in 1918.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914 Star with clasp and roses, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

Thomas Rowe

Personal Details

Born: 6 August 1882 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 20 September 1882 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. He was also known as Rowe Thomas Manford and Thomas Manford Rowe.

Family: He was the son of William Manford, a labourer and his wife Margaret. He married Chrysantha Williams on 17 November 1901 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch. The couple had ten children – Thomas, Martha, William Harry, Harold Ellis, Chrissie, Hugh R, Margaret, Alice, Emma D and Edith.

Residence: At his baptism in 1882 his family were living at Clap Gate, Tarporley Road, Whitchurch. In 1911 and until at least 1919, his address was Canal Cottages, Chemistry Road, Whitchurch. At the time of his death in 1932 his home was 13 Liverpool Road, Whitchurch.

Employment: He was a labourer.

Died: 1932 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and was buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 18 July 1932.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Defence Corps (previously King`s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 76820 (previously 26903)

Date of Enlistment: 12 December 1914

Date of Discharge: 27 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service.

Other Information: He attested in 1914 as Thomas Rowe, but was required to sign a declaration that his correct name was Rowe Thomas Manford after the army had received a copy of his marriage certificate.

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Silver War Badge (number 409493, awarded 24 March 1919).

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

John William Thomas

Personal Details

Born: 9 August 1894 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 5 September 1894 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to John Thomas, a farm labourer, and his wife Ellen (Nellie). He married Mary Elizabeth Purcell in 1930 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. No children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: From the time of his birth in 1894 until at least 1901 John and his family were living at Rising Sun Cottages, Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1911 his address was Chemistry Farm, Whitchurch. In 1939 he and his wife had made their home at Whitewell Villa, Whitewell, Nr. Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1911 he was a cowman on a farm and by 1939 he was a labourer in a timber yard.

Died: Not known

Thomas William Thomas

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: 11529

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 5 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Thomas was awarded the Campaign Medals (1915 Star, Victory and British War Medals)

Campaign Medals

William Thompson

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Fusiliers (previously Labour Corps, Devonshire Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry)

Rank: Sergeant

Service Number: GS/143255 (previously 361123, 51264 and 290310)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory medal).

Campaign Medals

Richard Thomas

Personal Details

Born: 1881 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 23 December 1881 at St. Alkmund`s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Morris Thomas, a labourer, and his wife Fanny. He married Dora Harding in 1910 in Runcorn, Cheshire. The couple had a daughter Frances M, born 1914 in Whitchurch.

Residence: From the time of his baptism in 1881 until at least 1901 Richard and his family were living in Claypit Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 he and his wife were visitors at 4 Claypit Street Terrace (the home of his sister, Hannah), Whitchurch. His pension ledger card and the 1919 Absent Voters` List gave an address of Bargates Cottages, Whitchurch for him.

Employment: In 1901 he was a shoemaker`s labourer but in 1911 he was a gardener.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 24903

Date of Enlistment: 28 November 1915

Date of Discharge: 2 June 1919

Reason for Discharge: Surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry into the service. Suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and spent time in the Surgical Home, Baschurch, Shropshire before being discharged.

Medals and Awards

Richard was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (number B228114, awarded 12 July 1919).

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Joseph Griffiths

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 190632

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Joseph was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Samuel Griffiths

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Rank: Sapper

Service Number: 204290 (previously 339987)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Samuel was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Patrick Ryan

Personal Details

Born: 11 January 1889 in Moyne, Tipperary, Ireland.

Family: It would appear that Patrick was the youngest of three children born to Daniel Ryan, a farmer. He married Nellie H Suker in Whitchurch, Shropshire. Together they had two daughters, Winifred and Edith M.

Residence: In army records of 1918 and the Absent Voters’ List of 1919 his address was 27 Newtown, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 Nellie and at least one of their daughters were living at 13 Talbot Crescent, Whitchurch, while Patrick was living at RAF Shawbury. At the time of death in 1956 his address was 15 Talbot Crescent, Whitchurch – probably a mistake and should have been number 13.

Employment: In 1918 Patrick was a kitchen porter. The 1939 register lists him as an RAF batman.

Died: 1956 and was buried on 9 May the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force (previously Royal Flying Corps, Labour Corps and The Queen’s Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 115361 (previously – unknown, 78980 and 49081)

Date of Enlistment: 11 Dec 1915

Date of Discharge: Unknown, documents state war service extended by 2 years but appeared to continue to serve until at least 1939

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Discrepancy between year of birth 1887 (1939 register) 1899 (1918 RAF documents), though both 11 Jan.

Medals and Awards

Patrick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Ernest Albert Rolfe

Personal Details

Born: 23 August 1881 in Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Family: Third of seven children born to Samuel and Mary Ann Rolfe. On 6 September 1904 Ernest married Ellen Roberts, of Bettisfield, in Ellesmere, Shropshire. Together they had at least 3 children; Hugh, Norman and Harold. It’s possible that there were two others, but the mother’s surname was not listed so they can’t be positively identified.

Residence: In 1891 and 1901 the family were living at Tart’s Hill, Halghton, Ellesmere, Flintshire. By 1911 Ernest, Ellen and their son were residing at Fir Cottage, Penley, Ellesmere, Shropshire. In 1919 he was living at 2 Picadilly in Whitchurch. Twenty years later the 1939 register listed the family address as 78 Dodington, Whitchurch and Ernest was still living there at the time of his death in 1945.

Employment: Occupation was given as carpenter in both the 1901 and 1911 census returns. By 1939 Ernest was working as a commercial traveller in wines and spirits.

Died: Aged 64 in 1945 and was buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 27 November the same year.

Frederick Horace Wagstaffe

Personal Details

Born: 15 March 1895 in Bewdley, Worcestershire.

Family: He lived with his mother, Middie Wagstaff (maiden name Siviter), father, Alfred J Wagstaff and his younger brother, Harry and younger sister, Ena May. He married Hilda E. Minshall in 1920 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had three children – Richard A, George E. and Harry L.

Residence: The 1901 census shows him living at 6 St. Mark Street, Uxbridge Place, Birmingham. The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to Whitchurch, Shropshire at 3 West End, 3 Small Brook Road which is still his address on the 1919 Absent Voters’ List. The 1939 Register shows him living at 42 Belton Road, Whitchurch; his address at the time of his death was 7 Meadow View Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: He was an engineer’s warehouseman (1911 Census) and boot repairer (1939 register).

Died: 14 July 1975 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Military Details

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

Rank: Private

Service Number: 200773 (previously 2421)

Date of Enlistment: October 1914

Date of Discharge: May 1918

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for War Service

Other Information: Frederick’s brother, Harry Wagstaffe, also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

Frederick was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and Silver War Badge (number 420544).

Campaign Medals

Silver War Badge

Joseph Walford

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

Francis Samuel Ward

Personal Details

Born: 25 February 1875 in Clerkenwell, London.

Family: He was the nephew of William H Ward, a watch repairer and jeweller, and his wife Mary A; he had at least one sibling, Arthur J. He married Ada Elizabeth Ovell on 11 April 1903 in Croydon, Surrey. They had four children, Sidney Francis, Clifford, Winifred M and Frank who was born 1905 but died before he was six months old.

Residence: The 1881 Census shows him living with his uncle and aunt in York Road, Fisherton-Anger, Alderbury, Wiltshire. In 1901 he was living as a boarder in Clerkenwell, London. The 1911 Census shows him living with his wife and sons at 10 Bargates, Whitchurch; the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows him living at 3 Piccadilly, Whitchurch which is the same address as shown on the 1939 Register and his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1901 he was a steamship’s steward; in 1911 he was a window cleaner and in 1939 he was a Sunday newsagent.

Died: 20 February 1951, aged 75, at 38 Talbot Street, Whitchurch and was buried on 23 February the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force (previously Royal Navy)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 275407

Date of Enlistment: Prior to 22 July 1918

Date of Discharge: 30 April 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Francis was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Walter John Vincent

Personal Details

Born: 25 February 1884 in Acton Trussell, Staffordshire and baptised on 28 March the same year in the Parish Church of Acton Trussell.

Family: He was the sixth of eleven children of George Vincent, a farm bailiff, and his wife Susan. He married Amy Huxley on 30 August 1911 in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had one child, Leslie.

Residence: The family were living in Acton Trussell at the time of his baptism; by 1891 they had moved to Crab Mill, Park Lane, Higher Kinnerton, Flintshire, Wales. In 1901 and 1911 he was living in Chester Road, Churton by Aldford, Chester, Cheshire; in 1917 his address was Woodland, Penyffordd, Broughton, Flintshire. He was discharged to 4 St. Mary’s Street, Whitchurch in 1919 and in 1939 he was living at The Cottage, Red House, Hawarden, Flintshire.

Employment: In 1901 he was an agricultural labourer; in 1911 he was a domestic gardener. When he enlisted in 1917 he declared his occupation as gardener; by 1939 he had become a head gardener.

Died: In 1959 in Chester, aged 75.

Military Details

Regiment: Dorset Regiment (previously Yorkshire Regiment and Welsh Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 46733 (previously 34982 and 60366)

Date of Enlistment: 24 June 1916

Date of Discharge: 16 November 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: Walter was reported missing in action on 27 May 1918, taken prisoner of war and repatriated on 16 December 1918.

Medals and Awards

Vincent was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal).

Campaign Medals

Claud Somerset

Personal Details

Born: In 1881 in Prees, Shropshire and baptised on 7 August 1881 in Prees Parish Church.

Family: He was the third of four children of Vere Francis John Somerset, gentleman, and his wife Annette Catherine. No marriage can be traced for Claud.

Residence: From the time of his baptism until at least 1891 he lived with his family at The Hall, Church Street, Prees. Census records after 1891 cannot be located; however, passenger lists indicate that Claud travelled to South Africa at least twice between 1901 and 1912. In 1925 he travelled to Australia (his departure address was 12 Park Village West, Regent’s Park, London) and Australian Census records indicate him living with his brother Charles (and Charles’ wife Doris Amy) at Ferndale, Balingup, Forrest, Western Australia.

Employment: When he left the UK in 1925 he was a merchant; in Australia he farmed with his brother.

Died: 13 March 1942 in Western Australia and was buried the same year in Balingup cemetery.

Thomas Murray

Personal Details

Born: 1 March 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 25 June the same year in the Unitarian Church of St. Saviour, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the second of four children born to Thomas Murray, a fitter and turner, and his wife Minnie. He married Elizabeth Kennerley in 1922 in Bucklow, Cheshire; no children can be traced for the marriage.

Residence: His family were living at 16 Highgate, Whitchurch at the time of his baptism; by 1901 they had moved to 60 Oddfellows Cottages, Smallbrook Road, Whitchurch where they were still living in 1911. When he enlisted in 1915 he gave his address as Lythe Cott, Moss Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire; he was discharged in 1919 to 6 Clive Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire. His wife lived in Wilmslow, Cheshire prior to their marriage and he gave this address (Wayside, Beach Lane, Wilmslow) as his UK residency when he emigrated to Canada in 1923. His transit papers indicated he was to live with his brother-in-law, Mr W Johnson, at 20 Natalie Street, East Toronto.

Employment: In 1911 he was a grocer’s shop assistant, which was also his occupation in 1915. In 1923 an occupation of insurance agent was given for him on his transit papers.

Died: Not known

Jack Hughes

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Field Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 72396

Date of Enlistment: 6 November 1914

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

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

Campaign Medals

Ernest Roberts

Personal Details

Born: 6 March 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 29 March at St Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: Son of James and Sarah Roberts and grandson of John and Martha Prodger. In 1926 he married Lucy Purcell in Whitchurch and together they had four children, Bernard, Nancy M, John and John W. Our research suggests that John was born and died in 1933.

Residence: Ernest and his parents were living at the ‘Rising Sun’ in Whitchurch at the time of his baptism in 1893 where his father was the innkeeper. In both the 1901 census and 1911 census Ernest was found to be living with his grandparents at Blakemere Cottage, Whitchurch. However in the earlier census he had the name Prodger and was described as their son, presumably a mistake. At the time of the 1939 register Ernest, Lucy and the children were residing at 7 George Street in Whitchurch. This was still his address in 1971, the year of his death.

Employment: At the time of the 1911 Census Ernest was working as an agricultural labourer. This was still his occupation in 1939.

Died: In the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury during the second quarter of 1971, aged 78. Ernest was buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 12 June that year, in the same plot as his wife Lucy who had passed away 14 months previously.

Charles Henry Hughes

Personal Details

Born: Not known

Family: The 1911 Census shows Arthur Fox, his wife Catherine Fox and his step son Gordon Hughes living at 1 Churton’s Yard, Whitchurch which is the address on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register for Charles. Arthur Fox married Catherine Hughes in 1908 and we suspect that Charles and Catherine are related, but cannot confirm this from the civil or military records.

Residence: The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register has an address of 1 Churton’s Yard, Whitchurch for Charles.

Employment: Not known

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Liverpool Regiment)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 48830 (previously 73589)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: Not known

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals