Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Richardson Wilson was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland in 1893, one of 5 children he was the second born of 3 sons and 2 daughters. His father Robert Wilson native of Belford, Northumberland born 1869 married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1886 to Frances Richardson born 1868 at Gateshead, County Durham. In 1891 they and their children Margaret (4) and James (2) were living in with Robert’s parents, his sister Eleanor, niece Alice and nephew James Brown, Robert’s widowed grandmother and his wife’s widowed father Robert Richardson, at 25, Gibson Street, All Saints, Newcastle. With the exception of his father-in-law who was a joiner he and the other male members of the family were all employed by the railway. Ten years later their family was complete and supported by Robert now working as a dock yard labourer.
Robert Wilson died between 1901 and 1908, Francis remarried to James Bradley with who she had a daughter Frances Bradley born 1909 at Gateshead. His step-father was employed as a coal miner, John also, as a pony driver. Edward (13) and Mary Wilson (11) were scholars. In 1911 they were living in 2 rooms at 15, Wellington Street, Felling, later moving to Redmayne Street,
On the outbreak of war Robert enlisted at Felling, Gateshead, September 7th 1914, assigned as Private 19103 to the Durham Light Infantry. He joined his Regiment at their Depot at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was posted to the 12th Battalion which with the 13th Battalion formed part of the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. They trained at Aldershot, Willesborough and by May 1915 were at Bramshott, departing to France August 26th 1915 concentrating near Tilques. They departed September 25th for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the more experienced 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions near Merris-Vieux Berquin before taking over the front line in their own right.
During October Private Wilson was transported by the 69th Field Ambulance to the 7th Casualty Clearing Station where he was treated for Illness (illegible) and on to the 4th Field Hospital, he returned to his Regiment in the field December 10th 1915 where they were holding the front line at Bois Grenier until being relieved in January 1916 returning to Bruay for a period of rest. They returned to front line duty in March 1916 taking over the sector between Boyan de L’Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division. Many of the miners amongst the men were transferred for a short period to the Royal Engineers establishing a Tunnelling Company.
After a second period of front line duty in April, June 11th the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy to begin intensive training in preparation for the opening Battles of the Somme where the 12th Battalion saw action during the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916 capturing Contalmaison, followed by the Battle of Bazentin Ridge July 14h-17th, Pozieries July 23rd-September 3rd, Flers-Coucelette September 15th-22nd, Morval September 25th-28th and the Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars October 1st-18th 1916.
It was during this assault that Private 19103 John Richardson Wilson Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, October 7th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,256 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave. He was 23 years old and single.
His mother received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, Redmayne Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
The Heslop’s Local Advertiser article states Private Wilson was 26 years old, BMD and census documents confirm date of birth as 1893 not 1890.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916 carries an In Memoriam notice which reads:
“Private J.R. Wilson, D.L.I., killed in action, Oct. 7th, aged 26 years. Son of Frances and the late Robert Wilson, also step-son of James Bradley, Redmayne Street, Felling.”
John Robert Wilson is remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 277
