{"product_id":"ww1-british-war-victory-medal-pair-henry-percy-philpward-queens-royal-west-surrey","title":"WW1 British War \u0026 Victory Medal pair, G\/12518 H.P. Philpward, Queen's Royal West Surrey","description":"\u003cp\u003eA First World War British War Medal and Victory Medal pair named to G\/12518 Private Henry Percy Philpward, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He served on the Western Front from July 1916 to the Armistice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe medals are in good used condition for their age. They have not been polished or spoilt in any way, and they come on their original ribbons, which are in fine condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA man who does not exist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHenry Percy Philpward is something of a mystery. Extensive searches of birth, marriage, death and census records from before and after the First World War have found no trace of anyone by this name. In fact, our research has found no one else, anywhere, with the surname Philpward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet he clearly existed as a soldier. His name is recorded the same way throughout his service, and his medals were issued to H.P. Philpward, so a simple clerical error seems unlikely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most likely explanation is that he made up the name to enlist. Many men did, for reasons such as wanting to leave a past life behind, being under age, or not wanting to be found. The surname may also be two family names joined together, Philp and Ward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever the reason, the man behind these medals chose to serve under a name that appears nowhere else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHis service\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 July 1916: went overseas to France as a Private with the 9th Battalion, The Queen's, number G\/12518\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e23 July 1916: moved to the 6th Battalion, The Queen's, part of 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith the 6th Battalion through the later Somme fighting of 1916, and Arras and Cambrai in 1917\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 April 1918: left the battalion, at a time of heavy fighting near Albert. He was away for five months, most likely wounded or sick\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 September 1918: one day with the 4th Battalion, The Queen's, on his way back to the front\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14 September to 11 November 1918: back with the 6th Battalion until the Armistice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLater renumbered 699164 and promoted Lance Corporal in the 22nd Battalion, London Regiment (The Queen's)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe medals\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBritish War Medal 1914-1918, in silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVictory Medal 1914-1919\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoth named on the rim to Pte H.P. Philpward, number 12518, The Queen's\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounted on a card with a printed name label\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHe was entitled to this pair only. He first went overseas in 1916, so there is no 1914-15 Star\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Gradia Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54648849006920,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0924\/1103\/5976\/files\/ww1-british-war-victory-medal-pair-henry-percy-philpward-queens-royal-west-surrey-front.heic?v=1794517769","url":"https:\/\/www.gradiamilitaria.com\/products\/ww1-british-war-victory-medal-pair-henry-percy-philpward-queens-royal-west-surrey","provider":"Gradia Militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}