Walter Wilde

Royal Air Force

Personal Details

Born: 14 March 1877 in Hodnet, Shropshire.

Family: He was the fourth of eight children born to Robert Henry Wilde, a coachman groom, and his wife Jane. He married Gertrude Annie Embrey in 1915 in Whitchurch, Shropshire; no children can be identified for the marriage.

Residence: In 1881 he was living with his parents and siblings in Hodnet; by 1891 they had moved to 1 Marine Terrace, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire where they were still living in 1901. In 1911 Walter was living at 31 Claypit Street, Whitchurch with his future wife and mother-in-law. This is the address shown on the 1919 Absent Voters’ Register and where he was living at the time of his death in 1937.

Employment: In 1901 he was a clother’s assistant; in 1911 he was a coal agent and when he enlisted in 1918 he was a clerk.

Died: 8 January 1937 in Whitchurch, aged 59, and was buried on 12 January the same year in Whitchurch cemetery.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Rank: Clerk

Service Number: 161615

Date of Enlistment: 24 April 1918

Date of Discharge: 30 April 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: His brother George also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

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


 

 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

We want to make sure you're human! * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.