William Edward Foulkes

Royal Field Artillery

Personal Details

Born:    7 May 1882.

Family:    It is possible that John Thomas Foulkes, whose address was also given as Sunnyside, Wrexham Road on the 1919 Absent Voters List for Whitchurch was his brother, but there is no definite proof for this as no definitive information could be found in the Census records. He married Sarah E. Haycocks Quarter 2 1923 in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The couple had three children, William H, May E and Freda.

Residence:    His address was given as Sunnyside, Wrexham Road on the 1919 Absent Voters List for Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1939 he and his family were living at 8 Smallbrook Buildings, where he seems to have remained until his death in 1962.

Employment:   Not known, though on the 1939 Register under occupation an entry of private means was given.

Died:    24 April 1962 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 28 April the same year.

Military Details

Regiment:    Royal Field Artillery

Rank:    Driver

Service Number:    217844 (previously 726127)

Date of Enlistment:    Not known

Date of Discharge:    Not known

Reason for Discharge:    Not known

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the British War Medal.


The British War Medal

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.




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