Personal Details
Born in Dodington, Whitchurch in 1887, the second son of Thomas and Anne Clayton of 3a, Wrexham, Road, Whitchurch.
Military Details
Regiment : 25th (Service) Battalion The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), formerly Royal Welsh Fusiliers No 5113
Rank : Lance Corporal
Service Number : 380354
Killed in Action; France 2nd October 1918 Age 31
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
Further Information
Obituary for Thomas Clayton in the Lancashire Evening Post 22 October 1918
"Clayton. - Killed in action, in France, October 2nd, Lance-Corpl. THOMAS CLAYTON, aged 32 years.
As dawn crept o'er the trenches,
You fell 'midst shot and shell;
My only grief I was not there
To bid a last farewell.
But the hardest part has yet to come
When the heroes do return,
And I'll miss among the cheering crowd
The one I loved so well.
- From his sorrowing Wife and Child, 222, Lancaster-road, Preston."
Lancashire Evening Post 22 October 1918
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Information provided by Terry Evanson Whitchurch, Shropshire and Whitchurch Museum and Archives