WW1 1914-1918 Silver War Medal Devonshire Regiment 1939-1945 Defence Medal & Silver ARP Pin Badge with George V Silver Jubilee Handkercheif

What we have here is a fantastic story of the WW1, Silver War Medal, WW2 Defence Medal and a A.R.P. Badge, which were found wrapped up in a very colourful George V silver jubilee handkerchief.

The previous owner of this collection researched this to its full extent and it comes complete with a whole wealth of documents including, but not limited to, the census, war records, probate and related individuals records. This portfolio of information shows the life and death of the person who was issued these medals, as follows:

To 103073 Pte William White, of the Devon Regiment and later on 301. Coy. Labour Corps. Born 1879, in Birmingham, in the 1881 Census, William, was living with his mother Hannah Anna White, (Cook/Domestic Servant). With Hannah, working for a Millicent A Page, (Teacher) and living at 13, Selsley Hill Matheran, Kingstanley, Stroud, Gloucestershire, with also his Sister Emily. The 1901 Census shows all three living still in Stroud, with William now 22 and a Cutter Driver in a Woollen Mill. 1907 William married Georgina Gunner, in Stroud, with their daughter, Norah, born a year later in 1908. The 1911 Census shows William and Hannah working for Strachan & Co Woollen Cloth, and living at 14 School Square, Selsley, Stroud, but sadly in October Georgina died and was buried on the 4th of November. On the outbreak of War William, would be 35, widowed and have one child. Before enlisting William married Edith Emily Hall, in Stroud, and enlisted on the 30th August 1916. Without his service record, we don’t know the when’s and if’s, but we do have clues to try and peace together his service. There’s something odd with the Medal Roll service numbers for him? His pension card shows 3 numbers 562481, 56723 and 103073. Looking at various near numbers I believe 56723 is his Devonshire Regiment number, and 103073 is a run of LC numbers allocated to men transferred from the Devon Labour Coys. So we are thinking enlisted 1916, but because of his age not mobilised until February 1917, (we see there daughter Winifred born Jan 10th 1917). And posted overseas to one of the Devon Infantry Labour Company, May 1917 Transferred to the newly formed Labour Corps. Then a spell in the London Regiment ?? but what number? (not in long enough to register? war badge record). Before transferred back to the Labour Corps and 301 Company, (a home service company in Eastern Command), with new number 562481. Discharged 27th September 1918, aged 39 sick, (probably his Varicose Veins as on his pension card). With his disability pension, he went back to the family home 14 School Square, and his old job at Strachan & Co Woollen Cloth, (1921 census). 1939 still working for the same Mill and at 14 School Square, we believe William, was a air raid warden?, (A.R.P), enforcing the blackout (in the handkerchief, was also a A.R.P. badge and a defence medal. William White died on the 26th December 1960, aged 81 living all his life in Stroud. The probate in January went to his first daughter Winifred, which was worth £334,13s, 3d.
Another old soldier doing his bit in both Wars.

You will receive both medals, A.R.P. badge and handkerchief with all research.

This is a fantastic piece of history. The medals and handkerchief are worthy of being framed, ideally with a picture of William.