WALTER WILSON 1876–1957

Photograph from a family member

Born 29th October 1876 in Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire

Baptised 31st December 1876 St Michael’s Church, Farnsfield. Address Upper Hexgreave Lodge.

Married in 24 December 1900 to Emma Baxter at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on Trent

Sons John born 1902, Walter born 1907, Albert born 1909, Samuel born 1911

Died 10th August 1957, age 80. Buried in Radcliffe on Trent cemetery, grave reference D150

1881 Census

Age 6 living in Bilsthorpe with father Walter 43, a labourer born in Farnsfield, mother Elizabeth 44 born in Arnold, sister Kezzie (Kezia) 12 and brother John 9.

1891 Census

Age 15, an agricultural labourer, living on Bailey Lane, Radcliffe on Trent with father Walter 53, mother Elizabeth 53, sister Kezia 22 and her husband George Briggs, and brother John 18 an agricultural labourer.

1901 Census

Age 24 employed as a railway labourer living  on Back Lane, Radcliffe on Trent with his wife Emma 22 born in Radcliffe on Trent and his wife’s grandmother Lucy Thraves, 82, from Cotgrave.

1911 Census

Age 34 employed as a carter for a coal merchant living with wife Emma 32, sons John Frederick 9, Walter 4 and Albert 2.  They lived in a house with 5 rooms at The Harlequin, Radcliffe on Trent.

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service Number: 31108, formerly 64350 (Durham Light Infantry)

Military Unit: Labour Corps, previously 25th Bn Durham Light Infantry

Theatre of War: Unknown; served overseas

10.12.15: Enlisted. Private 65340 Durham Light Infantry

At an unknown date he was transferred to the Labour Corps, service number 31108

22.3.18: Discharged from Northern Command Labour Centre due to sickness, age 41. Silver War Badge 369922 issued.

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory.

Family reminiscences say that he was gassed and hospitalised where he was given the opportunity to stay in hospital or go home; he had only one functioning lung.  He chose to return to Radcliffe on Trent as he had four sons and lived until he was 80.  He was in receipt of an army pension for 30% disability due to chronic bronchitis in 1922 – 12 shillings (60p) plus 7 shillings 1d (35p) for wife and 2 children. His family believed that he received 80% pension. There is no record of an increase currently available.

1921 Census

Address: The Harlequin, Radcliffe

Employment: labourer, Samuel Barratt, nurseryman

Household: wife Emma, sons John, cleaner GNR, Walter, bricklayers apprentice W and J Simons, Gordon Road, West Bridgford,  Albert and Samuel.

1922 Electoral Register

Address: The Harlequin

Household: Walter Wilson living with wife Emma

1939 Register

Address: West Cottages, 12 Nursery RoadThe Harlequin, Radcliffe on Trent

Occupation: gardener

Household: living with wife Emma and son Samuel, builder’s labourer

Other information

Will: W Wilson of West Cottages, 12 Nursery Road, Radcliffe on Trent died 19th August 1957, probate Nottingham to Albert Wilson bricklayer

Reason for inclusion on the Radcliffe On Trent Roll of Honour

Lived in Radcliffe on Trent.