Walter John Speed

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Personal Details

Born: In 1872 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 5 June the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of four children of John Speed, a hairdresser, and his wife Mary Ann, nee Walters. He married Dorothy Garrood in 1922 in Mutford, Suffolk and together they had 2 children – Justine H G and Sybil A G.

Residence: The 1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses show them living in Watergate Street, Whitchurch. In 1911 he was living at 10 Highgate, Whitchurch which was the address shown for him on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register; the army pension records indicate he was living at 19 St. Mary’s Street, Whitchurch in 1920. At the time of his death he was living at 24 Lyndhurst Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Employment: He was a hairdresser.

Died: 26 October 1936 in Lothingland, Suffolk, aged 64.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (previously Shropshire Yeomanry)

Rank: Quartermaster Sergeant

Service Number: 230003 (previously 65)

Date of Enlistment: September 1914

Date of Discharge: 31 July 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Walter was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) and the Territorial Forces War 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.


Territorial Forces War medal

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The Territorial Force War Medal was a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas in World War I; it is the rarest of the five British Great War medals.

The medal was established in April 1920 for award to members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who volunteered for service overseas on or before 30 September 1914, and served overseas. They had to have been serving with the force on 4 August 1914 or have completed four years service with the force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined the force on or before 30 September 1914.



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