WWI Silver War Badge. Murphy. St Helens, Lancashire. South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers)

Correctly numbered badge 146753

Awarded to John Murphy who was born in May 1893. He enlisted into the 18th Reserve Battalion South Lancashire Regiment in early 1916. From there he transferred to the 3rd Bn and later to the 9th (Pioneer) Battalion. It is with this battalion that he ended up overseas in Salonica. After 117 days service he was discharged unfit for service due to chronic pneumonia, possible tubercolosis. John served a total of 1 year and 28 days.

Johns address at the time of enlistment was 29 Central Street, St Helens, Lancashire. His family had been living there from at least 1911. His father was from County Mayo, Ireland.

At the time of enlistment, John was working as a glassman/ works labourer. We see John at the same address up to 1939 where he is there with his mother. He is seen to be working as a builders labourer.

He is entitled to a pair. The Silver War Badge has a lovely black patina and possible replacement pin.