Wilfred Stevenson

Wilfred Stevenson

Personal Details

Born in Top o’ th’ Town, Broomhall, Nantwich, Cheshire in 1893, the third son of William and Annie Stevenson of the same address.

Military Details

Regiment : 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment
Rank : Private
Service Number : 49572 and 4121

Killed in action; Belgium 20th December 1916 Aged 23

Medals and Awards
Wilfred was awarded the Campaign Medals ( British War Medal and Allied 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.



Further Information

Extract from 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment War Diaries 20th December 1916


Wilfred was killed during a raid on enemy trenches in positions near Ploegsteert Wood near Ypres. The objective was to capture or kill the crews of three Minnenwerfers (trench mortars). The battalion war diary states:

"1916
December
20th Wed.

Holding Line. A small Wirecutting operation was carried over during the afternoon, bombardment by all kinds of Heavy and Light Artillery, T.Ms etc. lasted from 3.10 pm to 3.40 pm. The objectives were:-

(1) To cut a gap in Enemy wire about U21.b.7.5 (junction of support & front line northern face of Birdcage.)
(2) To catch & kill any enemy about in his trenches with short surprise bombardments of selected points.
(3) To catch and destroy the personnel of the three located Heavy Minnenwerfers when they retaliated with short bursts of Artillery fire. A party was sent out at dusk to prevent the enemy from mending wire & to catch any if possible. Casualties, 2 killed 3 wounded.

Extract from 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment War Diaries 20th December 1916



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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


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