Thomas Harry Paddington

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Personal Details

Born: 1 February 1895 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 15 March the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the second of three children born to Harry Paddington, a railway engine driver, and his wife Mary Jane. He married Eva M Austin in 1919 in Whitchurch and together they had seven children – Bernard C, John, Leslie T, Dorothy M, Vera, Roy and Rita N.

Residence: In 1901 he lived at 59 Green End, Whitchurch; by 1911 the family had moved to 5 Egerton Road, Whitchurch where he was still living in 1919. A later address of 3 Deermoss Lane, Whitchurch is shown on his pension card with no date associated with it. In 1939 he was living at 25 Egerton Road, his address at the time of his death.

Employment: In 1911 he was a shop errand boy. He joined the Postal Services on 2 September 1929 as a postman; in 1939 he was a postal driver.

Died: In 1968 at the Cottage Hospital, Whitchurch, aged 73 and was buried on 8 July the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry 

Rank: Acting Corporal

Service Number: 13383

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 3 February 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Thomas 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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