Peter Wise and Brenda Mcmahon have submitted the following:-
William was born at Barnard Castle in 1885. His parents were Robert and Jane (nee Weston) who went on to have 6 children including Francis Joseph, Margaret Hannah, Henry (aka Harry), Robert, William and Henry.
Father, Robert was a successful tradesman. He was a master builder in stone and an employer. He died in 1913.
Census returns show son, Francis (aka Frank) was a stone mason, Margaret helped at home, William was an apprentice stone mason and Robert (junior) school.
William married Mary Winifred Etherington at Teesdale only a few months before war broke out early in 1916. Prior to his enlistment he had worked as a mason.
He joined up in July 1916 and was sent to France 6 months later as Sapper 180045 Royal Engineers. At some point he transferred to 8th Battalion Prince of Wales’s Volunteers, South Lancashire Regiment. On August 2nd 1917 he was hit in the head and died instantly. At the time he was fighting at Westhoek Ridge, Ypres.
His brother Joseph was killed in action September 29th 1918 and Frank died December 6th 1918.
William Wilson's death penny and scroll plus other items are in Bowes Museum.
His headstone inscription reads:- On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy R.I.P.
William Wilson is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
