William Burrows

1894 – 1918

Private. Service N° 49127

Died of wounds on 8 Oct 1918

Leicestershire Regiment

The Leicestershire Regiment, also known as the “Tigers,” played a vital role in the First World War, serving primarily on the Western Front. They were involved in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, where the 2nd Battalion captured the village of Bazentin-le-Petit under heavy fire. The regiment also fought in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, supporting the first large-scale tank offensive. The Leicestershire Regiment was known for its strong esprit de corps and earned numerous commendations for gallantry.

Meet the Family

Marcoing British Cemetery

22 Rue de Masnières, 59159 Marcoing

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.