Personal Details
Born: 4 March 1899 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Family: He was the eldest of four children born to Samuel Edge, a labourer, and his wife Charlotte. He married Linda Jones in 1922 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales; children for this marriage cannot be confirmed.
Residence: In 1911 he was living in Chorlton, Cuddington, Malpas, Cheshire; at the time of his death he was living at Castle Cottage, Waen Fach, Deytheur, Llansantffraid, Shropshire.
Employment: In 1911 he was a farm labourer.
Died: 22 October 1938 at Godor Bridge, near Llansantffraid, aged 39.
Military Details
Regiment: Royal Tank Corps (previously Corps of Lancers and Welsh Fusiliers)
Rank: Private
Service Number: 313834 (previously L/18290 and 77677)
Date of Enlistment: 14 April 1918
Date of Discharge: 31 March 1921
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
Other Information: He enlisted in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (number 19323) on 19 November 1915 and was discharged on 3 February 1916 having mis-stated his age.
Wilfred was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)
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.