William Barrett

William Barrett

Personal Details

Born in Threapwood, Malpas, Cheshire in 1896, the second son of James and Mary Jane Barrett of Rose Cottage, Greaves Lane, Threapwood, Malpas, Cheshire. Mary Jane died in 1901 and James married Eliza Ann Clarke in 1902.

Military History

Regiment : 1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment, attached to the 5th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank : Private
Service Number : 239287

Killed in action; Belgium 22 August 1917 Aged 21

Medals and Awards

William 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

Will of William Lodwicke Barrett

Barrett William Lodwick of Rose Cottage Threapwood near Malpas Cheshire private 1st Herefordshire regiment died 22 August 1917 in Belgium on active service Probate London 8 March to James Barrett chauffeur. Effects £42 1s. 2d.

Taken from Forces War Records


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Information provided by Whitchurch Museum and Archives


Comments

William Barrett — 2 Comments

  1. William was the son of James Barrett and 1st wife Mary Jane, Eliza Ann was his stepmum. Facts-

    Private 239287 William Lodwick Barrett, 5th bn KSLI. Died 22 Aug 1917 aged 31. Commemorated Threapwood Cheshire war memorial.

    William ‘Lodwicke’ Barrett birth reg Sept 1896 Wrexham which covered Sarn Bridge. His mum Mary Jane had a brother Job who had the middle name Lodwicke, so maybe the reason for his middle name. William was the 3rd known child of James Barrett born 1870 Forden, Montgomeryshire and Mary Jane Lea born 1862 Moreton Say, Market Drayton, Shropshire. James Barrett, son of Benjamin Barrett, married Mary Jane Lea, daughter of William Lea, 23 Aug 1892 at St John, Threapwood, Cheshire.
    James Barratt and Mary Jane had a daughter Mary born 14 Jul 1893 Sarn Bridge, Mary died Nov 1893 Threapwood-Mary Barrett buried 8 Nov 1893 St John Threapwood. source-http://www.threapwoodhistory.org/Documents/threapwoodburials.pdf
    James and Mary Jane had a son Price (aka Pryce) Barrett 17 Jun 1894 at Sarn Bridge. Pryce Barret died Apr 1915 Threapwood aged 20-Pryce Barrett buried 14 Apr 1915 St John Threapwood. source-http://www.threapwoodhistory.org/Documents/threapwoodburials.pdf.

    James Barratt’s wife Sarah Jane Barratt death reg March 1901 at Threapwood aged ‘35’. She was actually 38, she was older than James so maybe they sought to hide this fact.

    1901 census at Threapwood, near Malpas, Cheshire. James Barret 29 bn Forden, widow, groom. Sons Pryce Barret 7 and William L Barret 4, both bn Sarn (transcribed Sain) Bridge, Cheshire. James’ half sister Hannah (born as Mary Hannah) Lawrence 39 bn Forden, single.

    James Barrett married his 2nd wife-James Barrett, 30yrs, son of Benjamin, married Eliza Clarke, dau of Edward Fitzallen Clarke, 4 Jun 1902 at St John, Threapwood.

    1911 census at Threapwood, Malpas, Cheshire. James Barrett 40 born Forden, a domestic groom. 2nd wife Eliza Ann Barrett 51 born Hooley Hill, Lancs. Married 9yrs, no children. James sons Pryce Barrett 17 Threapwood and William Lodwicke Barrett 14 Threapwood. This proves Eliza was not Williams’ mum as all the children were from James’ 1st marriage, hence no children declared.

    Military/other records relating to William Lodwick Barrett’s death-
    Ancestry record of Soldiers who died in Great war-William Lodwick Barrett of Shifnal, died France and Flanders 22 Aug 1917. Enlisted at Ironbridge. Pte in Herefordshire Rgt 5th Battalion of KSLI, service number 239287, killed in action.

    Ancestry record of Probate- William Lodwick Barrett of Rose Cottage, Threapwood, near Malpas, private in Herefordshire rgt, died 22 Aug 1917 in Belgium on active service. Probate to James Barrett, chauffeur. Effects £42.

    Ancestry register of soldiers effects. Pte 239287 William Lodwick Barrett, 3/1st Hereford (transcribed Herts) 5th Light I, died 22 Aug 1917. Gratuity given to his father James.

    Ancestry WW1 service medals. Awarded to PTE 239287 William Lodwick Barrett -British War medal and Victory medal
    Photo War memorial, Threapwood, Cheshire-William Lodwick Barrett of the KSLI, died 22 Aug 1917 age 21yrs. Courtesy of http://www.carlscam.com/warmem/threapwood.htm

    CWGC tribute at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Pte 239287 Barrett WL, 22nd August 1917. Age 21. Son of James Barrett of Threapwood Malpas, Cheshire.

    William was my 1st cousin, 3 times removed. Hope this information helps

    • Thank you so much for the additional family information. We have corrected William Lodwicke Barrett’s entry on our Great War site
      Terry Fry
      Volunteer, Whitchurch Museum & Archives

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