William Evans

Labour Corps

Personal Details

Born: In 1878 in Burleydam, Cheshire.

Family: He was the fifth of six children born to Peter Evans, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Ann. He married Pamela Felton in 1898 in Market Drayton, Shropshire and together they had at least five children – Sydney, Harold, Viny, Arthur and George.

Residence: In 1881 he lived at Grindleys Green, Newhall, Nantwich, Cheshire; by 1891 they had moved to Near Park View, Newhall Lane, Newhall, Nantwich. In 1901, newly married, he was living at Old Mill House, Newhall, Nantwich and by 1911 they had moved to Goldsmith Cottage, Burleydam. The 1919 Absent Voters’ Register shows his address as 3 Creamery Cottages (3 Mile Bank), Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1891 he was a farm labourer; in 1901 a farm cattleman and in 1911 a farm waggoner.

Died: Not known

Military Details

Regiment: Labour Corps (previously King’s Shropshire Light Infantry)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 635710 (previously 203667)

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: 5 May 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: William’s son Sydney also served in WW1.

Medals and Awards

William was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and 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.




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