Solomon Shepherd, Age 39

Private, 6096, 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Solomon was the husband of Elizabeth Shepherd of 4 Heath Hill, Dawley.

He had been a regular soldier having originally joined the 2nd KSLI in 1899, and had served for two years with the regiment in South Africa during the Boer war, He had received both the King’s and Queen’s south Africa medals with 5 Clasps. After the Boer war he had served with the 1st Battalion in India until the 2nd Battalion came out to replace them, on which he re-joined his old company.

Solomon had left the army but was on the reserve list when the First war broke out and was called back up on the outbreak of war. He was serving in Salonika, when on September 5th 1916 he was wounded, but was able to remain on duty; however later in the same month on the 24th September he was seriously wounded being hit in the thigh and spine.

Solomon had gone through the British army’s medical system spending some time at a Hospital in Malta before being admitted to the Dudley Road hospital at Birmingham and it was whilst there that he succumbed to his wounds on April 5th 1917 over 6 months after he had been wounded.

On June 3rd 1917 Pte Lewis Halford wrote home from Salonika mentioning the death of Solomon, he wrote, “I was sorry to hear of the death of Solomon Shepherd for he was a good, all-round soldier — but such things happen in war time”. He goes on to say about the war “I don’t know what your opinion of the war is but I do not think it will be over yet awhile, though I think the Germans are beginning to lick their last plate”. Lewis was killed in action seven months later.

Solomon was given a Military funeral at St Leonard’s church, Malinslee on the 11th April 1917

Inscription added to head stone by: Mrs. Elizabeth Shepherd, 4, Heath Hill, Dawley, Shropshire.

Peace Perfect Peace.

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Buried or Commemorated St Leonard, Malinslee

***

Victory Medal	British War Medal