Personal Details
Born: 19 October 1893 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 23 December the same year in Wem Methodist Chapel.
Family: He was the eldest of three children born to Henry Pemberton, a tailor, and his wife Alice. He married Beatrice Lucy Bucknall in 1923 in Spilsby, Lincolnshire and together they had one child, Linda P born in 1924. Sadly, Linda died in 1925.
Residence: In 1901, he lived at 93 Talbot Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 the family had moved to New Street, Fressingfield Harleston, Fressingfield, Suffolk. When he enlisted in 1915 his address was Beach Bank, Northwood, near Wem, Shropshire; when he was discharged in 1919 his address was The Nook, Queen’s Road, Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire. The 1939 Register records his address as Motor Garage Repair Shop, Keeling Street, North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, whereas his wife Beatrice was living at 40 Trusthorpe Road, Mablethorpe and Sutton, Lincolnshire. His address at the time of his death was Mill Garth, Grainthorpe, Lincolnshire.
Employment: In 1911 he was a cycle repairer; in 1939 he was a motor and cycle repairer.
Died: 9 September 1973 in Louth, aged 79, and was cremated on 14 September the same year.
Military Details
Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery
Rank: Driver
Service Number: 113309
Date of Enlistment: 22 October 1915
Date of Discharge: 2 May 1919
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
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.