Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Fenwick Wilson was born 1895 at Washington, County Durham, one of 3 children he was the only son and had 2 sisters and a half brother and sister from his father’s first marriage.
His father William born at Newburn, Northumberland in 1848 married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1870 to his first wife Dorothy Armstrong native of Falstone, Northumberland born 1844 and with whom he had a son James born at Throckley New Houses in 1870 where William was employed as a coal miner in 1871 and Constance born 1883.
After the death of his wife Dorothy, William Wilson moved to the Gateshead area where he married in 1888 Annie Brown native of Blaydon, neat Gateshead, County Durham born 1854. In 1891 he was employed as an over-man at the colliery, living at 1, Ida Street, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his son James (21) was unemployed, Constance (8) was a scholar and Annie just a new born baby. By 1901 they had moved to Engine Square, Washington, only Constance (18) was living at home, Annie (10) and his wife had given birth to Dora (7) and Fenwick (5).
William Wilson of 37, Spout Lane, Washington died May 13th 1905 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, probate June 7th to Annie his widow in the sum of 656 pound 9 shillings 6 pence. After the death of her husband Annie moved to 27, Bell Street, Washington Station, supported by daughter Annie (28) employed at the magnesia factory, Dora (17) a shop assistant at a hosiery shop and Fenwick (15) employed as a grocery assistant.
On the outbreak of war Fenwick Wilson enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, November 16th 1914, assigned as Private 1352 Northumberland Fusiliers. He joined his Regiment at their barracks and was posted to the 19th (2nd Tyneside Irish Pioneers) Battalion. After training near home they became a Pioneer Battalion, February 8th 1915 joining the 35th Division in July at Masham, North Yorkshire before moving to Salisbury Plain in the August for final training. They were ordered to leave for Egypt in late 1915 however this order was cancelled and they departed to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force landing at Le Havre January 29th 1916 where the Division concentrated east of St. Omer.
Over the following months their training continued in trench warfare before moving to the battlefields of the Somme where they participated July 14th-17th at Bazentin Ridge and were involved in day to day trench warfare until joining the attack at Arrow Head Copse during the Battle of Guillemont September 3rd-6th 1916.
Private 19/1352 Fenwick Wilson Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action July 30th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave. He was 21 years old and single.
His mother Annie Wilson of 3, Howard Street, Gateshead, County Durham received 3 pounds 2 shillings and 5 pence of the monies owed to him, the remainder was divided amongst his step brother and sister James Wilson and Constance Watling, and sisters Dora and Annie each of whom received the sum of 1 pound.
Private Fenwick Wilson was the recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The Heslop’s Local Advertiser Memoriam notice was posted by his half sister Constance Watling nee Wilson who had married at Gateshead in 1906 to Mr Charles Watling originally of Brinkburn, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916 carries an In Memoriam notice which reads:
“Private Fenwick Wilson, N.F., late of Washington Station, killed in action on July 30th, aged 21 years. Brother of Mrs. Watling, 34 George Street, Pelaw.”
Fenwick Wilson is remembered in the Battalion History page 247
