Thiepval Memorial
Redheugh Gas Works
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Wilde was born at Gateshead, County Durham, the youngest of 5 sons born to Henry Wilde of Barnard Castle, County Durham born 1861 and Emma Wilsher born 1866 at Gateshead, affectionately known also as Emily, whom he married in 1884 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. They settled at Gateshead where Henry was employed as a mill labourer, in 1891 they were living at 43, Wilson Street with their children Thomas Henry (3) and Benjamin (1) but had moved to 112, Pine Street by 1901, Henry was employed by Redheugh Gas Works as a stationary engine-man. They now had a further 3 children John (9), Henry Jnr (7) and Albert Vincent (4). John later joined his father working as a labourer at the gas works whilst his brothers were labourers at the brick works. In 1911 they were living at 135, Rose Street, Teams, Gateshead.
John was amongst the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, October 14th 1914, assigned as Private 991 Northumberland Fusiliers, after joining his regiment at their barracks he was transferred to the 18th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, a Pals Battalion. February 8th 1915 it converted to a Pioneer Battalion and prior to their departure for further training at Kirkby Mallard in July, where they joined the 34th Division, John was married at Gateshead to Mary Isabella Clydesdale, their daughter Mary Isabella was born during the 3rd quarter 1915.
Taken over by the War Office August 15th 1915 the Division left their camp at Sutton Veny by train bound for Southampton where they departed as part of the British Expeditionary Force landing at Le Havre January 8th 1916. In France the pioneers were moved several times deployed in road making, levelling and draining camps, loading barges and making fascines and hurdles. During February 1916 they were moved to the front and started work on the trenches and laying tram lines after which they left for Albert where the 34th Division was to occupy the front line trenches in preparation for the main attack on the Somme due to commence June 29th 1916 but delayed due to bad weather until July 1st. The battalion that day had 80% of its force depleted either dead or wounded during the attack at La Boisselle. July 6th the 18th Battalion was transferred to the 37th Division in error and moved to Pas but suddenly ordered to Verdrel by July 18th where they were lent to the 63rd Division reopening trenches destroyed by past fighting and uncovered many dead and decomposing German and French bodies. Via Souchez, Villers and Contalmaison they were back at Albert, August 28th 1916 attached to the Irish Battalion as Infantry. Under constant shell fire they were trapped in the trenches for 48 hours until they were relieved September 1st and sent about 3 miles back to the trenches near Contalmaison for 2 days' rest before returning to the 3rd line trenches for 2 days then the 1st line for 2 days then into the front line by September 8th.
Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal 18/991 John Wilde Northumberland Fusiliers was reported missing September 9th and after extensive investigation over the following months as to his whereabouts he was officially declared to have died on or since September 9th 1916.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,343 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 24 years of age.
His widow Mary Isabella received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their daughter along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 18, Wolseley Street, Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
It should be noted that the CWGC entry for Lance Corporal Wilde lists him as service number 181991, he was in fact 18/991 as confirmed by the Register of Soldiers Effects and his medal card.
John Wilde is remembered at Redheugh on R43.01 at Teams on T68.02 and at Gateshead in G39.004
