William John Hughes

Royal Garrison Artillery

Personal Details

Born: 14 April 1879 in Tarporley, Cheshire.

Family: He was the fourth of eight children born to Robert Hughes, a joiner, and his wife Catherine. He married Mabel Catherine Roberts on 27 January 1912 in Bangor, Caernarvonshire, Wales and was father to Henry, William, Alice and Evelyn.

Residence: In 1881 the family lived at Riddal Heath, Tarporley, Cheshire and in 1891 they lived at Havelock Street, Monks Coppenhall, Nantwich, Cheshire. In 1901 he was living at Garden Bothy, Llandwrog, Carnarvon, Caernarvonshire and in 1911 was at Ripley Leeds, Ripley, West Riding. In 1915 he was living at Edgeley Bank, Whitchurch, Shropshire. In 1939 he lived at Hall Lodge Pickhill, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales.

Employment: He was a gardener until at least 1939.

Died: In 1973 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales, aged 94.

Other Information: During the war his family was living at Bala Cottage, Llandegai, Bangor.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 301987

Date of Enlistment: 10 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 24 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

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.


 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

We want to make sure you're human! * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.