G/29772, Private, Charles WILSON
Age 37
Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), 13th Battalion
Killed in Action on Saturday 22nd September 1917
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Seems to be Born in Brandon in 1880 according to census, but no appropriate birth registration with that name has been found. The siblings registrations are confusing, where found. Even the marriage of Charles Wilson to Thirza has not been found. This is more than likely the man, but here is a lack of corroborative documentation 1881 census: Aged 8 months, living at Hiss Farm, Brandon with his father- William WILSON [46] farm bailiff born Ely; mother- Thirza (née WRIGHT) [44] born Mildenhall; sister- Matilda [13] born Ely; brother- Harry [11] born Brandon; sister- Priscilla [6] born Brandon and brother- Jonathan [3] born Brandon. 1891 census: Aged ?, living at Hill Farm, Brandon. None of the ages are decypherable and his parents are now both entered as born at Burnt Fen, also there were sister Priscilla and brother Jonathan 1901 census: Aged 20, farmers son, living at College Farm, Brandon with his widower father (now Littleport born); sister Matilda and brother Jonathan ( a gamekeeper). His mother died in 1897. 1911 census: Aged 28, farmers son, living at Chalk Farm, Lakenheath with his father (back to Ely as place of birth), sister Jane and brother Jonathan. Jane is entered as aged 40 born Ely but does not appear with the family in previous census |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds, when resident in Lakenheath. The war diary of the 13th Middlesex says they entrained at Bailleul on 21st, arrived at BAPAUME early in the morning & marched to camp near HAPLINCOURT (on the opposite side of Bapaume from Charles' cemetery). At the time the Communal Cemetery Extension was used for by Commonwealth medical units. The 13th Middlesex had 4 men die on the 22nd September. Strangely only 5 other ranks were killed in September, 4 of them accidentally, so it looks as if Charles was very unlucky, but so far no details have been found. The Bury Free Press of 13th October 1917 reported :- THE GREAT SACRIFICE BY A LAKENHEATH MAN It is our sad duty to record the death of another Lakenheath young man, Prvt Chas.Wilson, 13th Middlesex Regiment, youngest son of Mr.W.Wilson, High Street, Lakenheath. The father has been officially notified that his son died of wounds at the 49th Casualty Clearing Station, France on September 22nd. This is the only information received and should this be read by any comrade who is able to communicate any further particulars, his father and family will be grateful for any information. Deep sympathy is felt for the bereaved parent. |
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