Wilfred Bennion

Labour Corps

Personal Details

Born:   29th April 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 24th May 1893 at St. Alkmund`s  Parish Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family:  He was the eldest of 9 children born to Robert Bennion, a labourer, and his wife Harriet. By 1911 three of his siblings had died. He married Phyllis L. Haycocks Quarter 3 1917 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had three children, Dorothy, Wilfred and Albert.

Residence:  Wilfred seemed to have lived in Pepper Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire for most of his life. On the 1901 and 1911 Censuses at 22 Pepper Street and then at 11 Pepper Street according to the Spring 1919 Absent Voters List for Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment:  On the 1911 Census he was working as a labourer.

Died:  Quarter 3 1925 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 32.

Military Details

Regiment:  Labour Corps (previously The King’s (Liverpool Regiment))

Rank:  Private

Service Number:  40835 (previously 62271)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date if Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards

Wilfred 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.





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