Walter O’Donnell

1886 – 1916

Private. Service N° 14307

Walter enlisted on 2 Sept 1914 and was assigned to the Leicestershire Regiment. He deployed to France on 29 Jul 1915 Killed in Action 14 Jul 1916

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.

Rue de l'Ancre, 80300 Thiepval

1914 – 15 Star

The 1914-15 Star was instituted in December 1918 and awarded to British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of war against the Central Powers between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915, except those eligible for the 1914 Star (which covered service in France and Belgium up to 22 November 1914)..

An estimated 2.4 million were issued, including 283,500 to the Royal Navy and 71,150 to Canadians. It was never awarded alone; recipients also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, forming the “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred” trio, with the 1914-15 Star often called “Pip.”

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.