Key Information
Name: William James Wilson
DoB: May 27 1894.
Regt: 2nd Lieut., 3rd Devons.
DoD: Killed in action at Salonika, April 25, 1917. Commemorated at the Doiran Memorial. (Greece)
Academic Career: July, 1911. Student teacher, Robert Ferguson Council School, 1911-2.
Biographical Information [toggle_container keep_open=”false” initial_open=”1″]
son of W. J. Wilson, 22 Norfolk Street.
[toggle title=”Family Background”]Family Background:
William was the third son of William James Wilson and Amelia Challenger. His father was a shopkeeper by 1911 and he had been a loco engine stoker. William’s grandfather George had been a coach smith. He had two older brothers Samuel Challenger (after his maternal grandfather) Wilson and George and younger brothers, Alexander, Ernest and Charles. He also had an older sister Margaret named after her paternal grandmother.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Academic Record”]Academic Record
William attended the grammar school from 1907-11, and then went as a student teacher to Robert Ferguson Council School.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”War Service”]War Service:
As William was killed on April 25 1917 it seems probable he died during the First Battle of Doiran which took place between April 22 and May 8 1917. Conditions in the region were appalling and more men died of sickness than in engaging the enemy, although William was killed in action. [/toggle]
[toggle title=”Battalion”]Battalion:
The Allies had had a presence in the area from October 1915 when a combined Franco-British force of some two large brigades was landed at Salonika (today called Thessalonika) to support the Serbs against the Bulgarians. By the time they arrived – at the request of the Greek Prime Minister – the Serbs had already been defeated but the Salonika force dug in (despite the opposition of some Greeks). This became an International Force as in 1916 the troops were joined by Russian, Italian and Serbian soldiers. This did prevent an invasion of Greece by Bulgaria.[/toggle]
[toggle title=”Sources”]Sources:
a) Carlisle School Memorial Register 1264-1924
b) Census: 1911 RG 14/31323; 1901 RG13 /4865; 1891 RG 12/4286
e) The long long trail website[/toggle]
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