WILTSHIRE, Albert Edward



No.5897, Corporal, Albert Edward WILTSHIRE
Aged 39


2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own)
Killed in Action on Saturday, 28th October 1916


Albert Edward Wiltshire was born in Kirtling (Q4-1876 3B:519), son of Sarah WILTSHIRE. His mother married John STARLING from Cowlinge in 1878. His age is 'variable'

1881 census...Aged 4, as Albert E STARLING, he was at Hobbles Green with his stepfather John STARLING [25] farm labourer born Cowlinge; his mother Sarah [24] born Kirtling, and half sister Matilda STARLING [2] born Cowlinge.

1891 census...Aged 14, Albert WILSHER, farm labourer, he was "near Rosalie" Thrift Road, Cowlinge with his stepfather John STARLING [34] farm labourer, born Cowlinge; his mother Sarah [33] born Kirtling; step-brothers Arthur and John STARLING and step-sister Ethel STARLING, all three born in Cowlinge.

1901 census...He has not been found in this census (either as WILTSHIRE or STARLING). His stepfather and mother were at Saxon Street with his half brothers Arthur and John (both farm labourers) and half sisters Ethel, Nellie [7] and Flora [4] both born in Kirtling. It is possible that his stepfather died 1905 and his mother married George GINN on 1909

In 1909 he married Mary Jane FOREMAN [13-10-1889] (Risbridge Q3-1909 4A:1667)

1911 census...Aged 30, cowman on farm, he was at Banstead Cottage, Thrift Cottages, Kirtling with his wife Mary [21] born Cowlinge and sister in law Florence FOREMAN. His mother was at The Green, Kirtling with his step-father George GINN and his half brother John STARLING and half sisters Florence and Lavinia [9] STARLING.

The pension card has his widow at Downholme, Richmnd, Yorkshire.


He enlisted in York. As he appears to be on the Downholme war memorial it could be he had moved to Yorkshire since his marriage.
The Battalion war diary gives them as being in trenches at Les Boeufs and casualties from 23rd to 28th as 4 officers and 171 OR. Usual consolidation was being undertaken under bad weather conditions. They had captured an under officer and soldier that day.

CWGC gives the dead on 28th as 13, nine having no known grave.

The Bury Free Press of 2nd December 1916 reported
COWLINGE MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS

We regret to state that several casualties to Cowlinge lads have recently been recorded.
Prvt Dan Bitten, son of Mr.C.Bitten, Lambfair Green, Cambridge, is among the killed. This is the second of this family to fall for King and Country, another brother being accidentally drowned in Mesopotamia a few months ago
Rifn.Chas. Starling, Rifle Brigade, contracting pneumonia at Salonica, was being conveyed in hospital ship to Malta, but died before reaching his destination. He has two other brothers at the front. The greatest sympathy is felt for both families, who are old time parishioners of Cowlinge
News is also to hand that Prvt A.Wiltshire, another Cowlinge lad, and son in law of Mrs Foreman, Mill Road, is also killed in action.



Albert Wiltshire is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial pier and face 2A,2C and 2D
and on the memorial plaque in Downholme (St Mary and All Angels Church), North Yorkshire.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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