In Strand Military Cemetery, Hainaut, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 2298 Private Robert Wilson serving with the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 18/07/1915.
He was the son of Henry and Margaret Wilson, of Eden Villa, Haltwhistle, Northumberland.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Wilson born 1878 at Timpendean, Jedburgh, Scotland, was the only known child of Henry Wilson of Seghill, Northumberland born 1858 and his wife Margaret born 1858 in Scotland. His father was employed as an agricultural labourer whilst they were living in 1881 at Chester’s Farm, Belford, Northumberland.
An entry of death for Margaret Wilson has not been found, however, Henry Wilson married for a second time, February 5th 1891 at St. John’s Church, Darlington, to Charlotte Coulson native of Darlington, born 1856, in 1891 they were living at 27, Hutt Street, Gateshead, historically in County Durham, Henry was working as what is described as a traveller for beer, Robert (13) although of school age is not listed as a scholar, living with them was Henry’s widowed aunt Eliza Jopling (73). Robert’s half- sibling Charlotte May Vera Wilson was born in 1895 at Gateshead, Henry Cecil Coulson Wilson in 1901 at The Black Bull Inn, Bellingham, Northumberland, as his father was hotel/pub keeper, Robert (23) was employed as a carpenter and joiner. They had transferred to the 8 roomed Hamilton House, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, by 1911. Henry was a tinker (tinsmith) at the colliery, Robert (32) was also employed by them as a joiner, Charlotte May (15) remained at home with her mother, Henry (10) attended school, also in the household as a boarder was Sarah Jane Coulson (27) a district nurse.
When war was declared with Germany on August 4th 1914 Robert enlisted at Hexham, Northumberland, assigned as Private 2298 to the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers which had been redesignated as the 1/4th Battalion after the commencement of hostilities, a battalion of the first line Territorial Force destined for service overseas. After the completion of training he was posted to France, April 20th 1915 and attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, May 14th 1915. Private Wilson joined his regiment on the Ypres salient in Belgium where it had been participating during the 2nd Battle of Ypres since April 22nd 1915 which concluded May 25th. They remained in the trenches around Armentieres and Kemmel until moving south, participating during the final stages of the Battles of the Somme.
Private 2298 Robert Wilson was killed in action, July 30th 1915 and initially buried in a small concentration at map reference Sh. 36. C. 27. b. 83 Epinette Road Cemetery, Houplines, France, a cross bearing his name and military details marking his grave.
After the Armistice at the request of the French and Belgian Governments smaller concentrations and isolated graves were brought into larger cemeteries. The remains of Private Wilson and several others were exhumed and brought into Strand Military Cemetery, 12.5 kilometres from Ypres, Belgium, January 2nd 1920 and buried with military honours. Private 2298 Robert Wilson Northumberland Fusiliers is at rest grave IX. F. 6. At the time of his demise in 1915 he was 37 years of age and single.
His father received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at Eden Villa, Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Henry Wilson commissioned, at a cost of 2 shillings, an addition inscription to be added to his sons headstone, it reads, “AT PEACE.”.
Details as regards the death of Henry Wilson are unknown. Robert’s stepmother Charlotte Wilson nee Coulson died aged 91 years, December 3rd 1947 and was interred at Hexham Cemetery, Northumberland, the details of which are included on the Coulson family headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Wilson is remembered at Haltwhistle on H5.01 and H5.06
