Samuel Colton Latham

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

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

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

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.

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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