Ernest Bramall

1896 – 1917

Private. Service N° 12946

Killed in action on 25 Sept 1917

Royal Artillery

The Royal Artillery, encompassing units like the Royal Field Artillery and Royal Garrison Artillery, was the backbone of British artillery during the First World War. They provided heavy artillery support, including howitzers and siege guns, in major campaigns on the Western Front. The Royal Artillery was instrumental in the Battle of Arras in 1917, delivering devastating bombardments, and in the Hundred Days Offensive of 1918, which helped break German lines. Their expertise in gunnery and coordination with infantry was critical to Allied success.

Meet the Family

Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery

8908 Ypres, Belgium

British War Medal

The British War Medal was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or served overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, with eligibility later extended to services in Russia, Siberia, and other areas in 1919 and 1920..

Approximately 6.5 million were struck in silver, and 110,000 in bronze for certain labour corps (e.g., Chinese, Maltese, and Indian). The medal weighs about one ounce, and its silver composition sometimes led to it being pawned or melted down for scrap value during tough economic times post-war. It was nicknamed “Squeak” when paired with the Victory Medal (“Wilfred”) in the popular trio.

Victory Medal

The Victory Medal, also known as the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, and to most who received the British War Medal, for service in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918..

It was extended to include mine clearance in the North Sea until 30 November 1919 and the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War until 1 July 1920. Approximately 5.7 million were issued across the British Empire. Each Allied nation designed its own version, but all shared a common ribbon and the winged Victory figure on the obverse. It was nicknamed “Wilfred” in the “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred” trio.