Walter Wormington

Royal Army Medical Corps

Personal Details

Born: 15 October 1889 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and baptised on 1 December the same year in Uttoxeter.

Family: He was the youngest of five children born to Robert H Wormington, a domestic gardener, and his wife Hannah. He married Florence Elizabeth Lewis in 1921 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and together they had one child, John R H.

Residence: In 1891 he lived with his family in Bridge Street, Uttoxeter; by 1901 he was living in Highwood Town, Uttoxeter. In 1911 he was boarding at 85 Alkington Road, Whitchurch. In 1919 he was discharged from the army to 159 East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent. The 1939 Register for Florence shows an address of Waltham, Salisbury Road, Whitchurch; this was his address at the time of his death. The 1939 Register for Walter shows his address as 6-8 Humberstone Gate, Leicester which was a hotel.

Employment: In 1911 he was a chemist assistant; his service records show he was a pharmaceutical chemist in 1919, having worked for G H Morgan and Sons in Whitchurch prior to enlisting. In 1939 he was a Major (Army Dental Company).

Died: 22 July 1957 in Whitchurch, aged 67.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps

Rank: Private

Service Number: 8426

Date of Enlistment: 11 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 26 March 1919

Reason for Discharge: Returned to the Reserve

Other Information: He spent four and a half years serving in France.

Medals and Awards

Walter was awarded the Campaign Medals (1914/15 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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