Harold Whitfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harold Edward Whitfield
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|---|---|
| Born | 10 June 1886 Oswestry, Shropshire, England |
| Died | 19 December 1956 (aged 70) |
| Buried |
Oswestry Cemetery, Oswestry, Shropshire, England
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1908–1934 |
| Rank | Squadron Sergeant Major |
| Service number | 230199 |
| Unit | King's Shropshire Light Infantry Shropshire Yeomanry |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Squadron Sergeant Major Harold Edward Whitfield VC (10 June 1886 − 19 December 1956) was a British Army soldier and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Background
Born in Oswestry, Shropshire, in June 1886, Whitfield joined the Shropshire Yeomanry in 1908. When World War I broke out in 1914 he was mobilized spending the next two years in England. In 1916 he was shipped to Egypt, his unit becoming part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He was now a member of the 10th Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry as his unit had been re-designated.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of squadron sergeant major.
In civilian life, he was a farmer. After giving up business, he worked at Express Dairies at Whittington, Shropshire until his death, aged 70. He died from head injuries received in a road accident three days earlier when, cycling after work to his home in Lord Street, Oswestry, his machine was hit from behind by an army Jeep.
His medals are held by the Shropshire Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury Castle.
