Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

William Wylie was an only son and had an elder sister. His father Matthew Wylie was born in Scotland in circa 1864, his parents were Scottish but had moved several times between Scotland and the north east where Matthew’s 3 siblings were born. Matthew’s parents finally settled near Medomsley, County Durham, as of 1871. where his father was employed as a collier.

By the time Matthew Wylie was married he was living in the district of Castle Ward, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. His future wife Mary Isabella Henderson born circa 1863 at Biggs Main, Long Benton, Northumberland, was employed as a farm labourer, living in the village of Wylam. They were married in 1890 and moved in with her parents, who by 1891, were living at Newcastle and Stamfordham Road, Black Callerton. His father in law was a retired miner, Matthew was the only other man in the house and had found employment as a collier. His stipend supported his parents in law, his wife and new-born daughter Elizabeth, he was helped by his sisters in law Mary and Ruth, both employed as farm labourers. Isabella gave birth to their son William in 1896 at Callerton but they had moved into 2 rooms at 6, Walbottle Farm Cottage, Walbottle by 1901. Isabella’s mother, still listed as married, was living with them, her father must have been in community care as he died in 1903, as had her mother by 1911. They remained at Walbottle for at least 10 years, William (15) in 1911 was employed as a builder’s cartman, his father maintained his employment as a coal miner/hewer.

When war was declared with Germany in August 1914 by attacking the important British Uganda Railway in East Africa the Germans hoped to force British troops to invade where it could fight a defensive campaign, thus diverting British troops and supplies from Europe to Africa. This tactic achieved its aim and led to the invasion of German East Africa by British, Belgian and South African troops.

Having enlisted once he turned 18 William Wylie was assigned as Private DM2/164846 Army Service Corps. The letters DM indicate that he was a Mechanical Transport Leaner. Once eligible for service overseas he was posted to Tanzania, East Africa, as part of the Mechanical Transport Reinforcements in 1916 and may well have been attached to 599 Company A.S.C. Base Depot and Repair Unit in East Africa.

More troops and civilians died of disease than wounding during the entire East Africa campaign as malaria and black water fever were rife. Such was the case of Private DM2/164846 William Wylie, Army Service Corps who died of disease at No.15 Stationary Hospital, Morogoro, Tanzania, March 6th 1917. He is at rest within Morogoro Cemetery, 195 miles west of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa, grave III. C. 13. Private Wylie was 21 years of age and single.

His father Matthew received all monies due to him from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother Mary Isabella Wylie, initially of 18, Coronation Row, South Walbottle then 63, Millfield Crescent, Newburn, received a pension.

Matthew Wylie (56) died in 1920, Mary Isabella (59) in 1923, both registered in the district of Castle Ward (including Newburn, Walbottle and Westerhope), near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

Their only daughter Elizabeth Ann was married, August 8th 1926, at Ponteland, Northumberland to William Sisterson, born 1879, their son William Sisterson Jnr was born in 1927.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

William Wylie is remembered at Newburn on N13.01 and N13.02 and at Whorlton on W53.01