Richard William Fowles

Canadian Expeditionary Force

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

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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