Richard Herbert Wainwright

Royal Garrison Artillery

Personal Details

Born: 1876 in Whitchurch, Shropshire

Family: He was the second child of Thomas and Martha Wainwright and had four brothers George, Thomas, James and Jack and one sister Martha. He married Rose Hannah Griffith in Whitchurch in 1905. The 1911 census lists two children, Nellie and Stanley. A search for further children shows five more with mother’s maiden name Griffiths. These are Ethel, Edna, Herbert, Joan and Richard born between 1911 and 1926. Rose Hannah died in 1929.

Residence: The 1881 and 1891 Censuses show him living in Green End, Whitchurch and in 1901 his address was Railway Inn Yard, 6 Station Road, Whitchurch. By the time of the 1911 census he was married and living with his wife, two children, and widowed father at 9 Edgerton Road, Whitchurch. This was still his address in 1919 as shown on the Absent Voters’ list. The 1939 Census shows that he is widowed and living at 2 Working Mens Hall, Castle Hill, Whitchurch (this was most likely the Archibald Worthington Club).

Employment: Grocer’s errand boy at 14 and Club Steward from 1901 to at least 1939.

Died: 1960 in Whitchurch.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery (1st Siege Artillery Reserve Brigade)

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 224696 or 334696 ?

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 10 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

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

Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.


 


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