No.6472, Private, Harry WILDING
Aged 33
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Harry Wilding was born in 1885 in Culford Heath (Thingoe Q4-1884 4A:665), son of Robert and Elizabeth WILDING (née ARNOLD).
1891 census...Aged 6, he was at 51 Great Livermere with his father Robert WILDING [33] farm labourer born Culford; his mother Elizabeth [32] born Weeting, Norfolk; brothers Augustus R [10] and Herbert [6] (born dumb) both both in Culford; sisters Alice [3] born Wordwell and Lizzie [8 months] born Great Livermere. 1901 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was at Greenland Cottages, Culford with his parents (father now horsekeeper), brothers Herbert (farm labourer and Victor D [6 months] born Culford; sisters Lizzie and Victoria M [3] born Culford. 1911 census...Aged 26, farm labourer,he was at Vine House Farm, Deeping St Nicholas, boarding with the BARNATT family. His parents were at Culford Heath with his sisters Victoria Maud and brother Victor Donald. The pension card has his mother at Culford Heath, Ingham. |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds in the Militia for 6 years on 18th April 1903. He gave his age as 18 years 5 months, born and resident in Culford Heath, next of kin father Robert
He was working for Mr Carmen in Culford Heath as a labourer. He was 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)tall, weighed 113 lbs (51.4 kg), chest 33.5" to 35.5" (85.1 to 90.2 cm), blue eyes, brown hair,
Church of England.
He joined the regular Army No.6079 on the 20th April 1903. Unfortunately that is all that survives so we have no idea how long he signed for. As he was a
civilian in 1911 it follows he signed for less than 12 years in the colours, perhaps 7 and 5 on Reserve. In any event,being in France as early as 15th
August 1914 he must at least still have been a Reservist and very quickly mobilised. The 2nd battalion sailed from Dublin on the 13th August. It is not
clear whether Harry had gone to Ireland or joined them in France.
His International Red Cross Prisoner of War record is just one entry Dienstgrad u Truppenteil unbekannt, nahere angaben fehlen - verst 19.11 18 - infolge lungenentzundung gemeld. v. kriegsgef.Laz zu Berlin Alexandrinanstr- Aktz.31284/W All of which means his rank and unit unknown, other information missing- died 19.11.18 pneumonia. died Prisoner of war hospital Berlin Alexandrinan Street Ref No 31284/W Unfortunately that is all that is available. The card which would have told where and when he was captured is not available and his Army records only cover his enlistment in 1903 The Bury Free Press of 19th April 1919 reported :- CULFORD HEATH PARENTS BEREAVED Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Robt Wilding of Culford Heath who have received official news of the death of their second son, Prvt Harry Wilding, 6472, 2nd Suffolk Regiment.Being on the Reserve, Prvt Wilding was called up for service in 1914 and went to France with the first Expeditionary Force. He was taken prisoner at Mons on August26, 1914 and the official intimation of his death reads that he died on November 19, 1918 in hospital in Berlin from pneumonia, following influenza. This is the second bereavement which has recently befallen Mr. and Mrs. Wilding, they having lost their eldest daughter last December.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
