JOHN HEREWARD WILSON 1900–1972

Born 6th June 1900 in Billingborough, Lincolnshire

Baptised 1st July 1900 Billingborough

Married Dorothea Roberts 1923 in Mansfield, son Peter born 1924

Died 1972 in Mansfield district, Nottinghamshire

1901 Census

Age 9 months, living with his father John 47, a builder, mother Sophia 44, and siblings Arthur 16, Margaret 10, George 8, Annie 6, and May 12, at High Street, Billingborough.

1911 Census

Age 10 living with his widowed mother Sophia and sister May 12, in the household of Arthur Charles Firman and family at West End, Radcliffe on Trent. Arthur’s wife Elizabeth is Sophia’s daughter.

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service Number: TR/6/52795, previously 552793

Military Unit: 53rd Young Soldier Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters, then 51st (Graduated) Battalion Training Reserve, The Sherwood Foresters

Theatre of Command: Northern

Attested 5th June 1918, age 17 years 364 days

Address Lamcote, Radcliffe on Trent, occupation apprentice bricklayer, height 5ft 9ins, weight 146 lbs, hair brown, eyes hazel, chest 36ins, range of expansion 3½ ins, physical development good, teeth good, scar centre forehead

Deemed to have been enlisted on 6th June 1918 (his 18th birthday)

22.6.18: Called up for service

25.6.18: Posted to 53rd Battalion Notts. and Derby Regiment, (The Sherwood Foresters), Rugeley Camp.

9.7.18: Posted to 51st (Graduated) Battalion, Notts. and Derby Regiment

9.2.19: Demobilised; specialist military qualification: 1st Class Shot

Medals Awarded: ineligible for campaign medals as served in the U.K.

Other Information

The 51st (Graduated) Battalion, Notts. and Derby Regiment, (The Sherwood Foresters), was formed in 1917 from the 15th Training Reserve Battalion. It moved to Doncaster in 1918 and then to Welbeck. Its members remained in the U.K.

1921 Census

Address: 10 Eland Road, Langwith Junction, Upper Langwith, Notts

Employment: railway fireman, Great Central Railway

Household: boarding with Edwin Kemp, railway engine driver and his family

1939 Register

Address: 3 Little Lane, Shirebrook, Derbyshire

Occupation: railway locomotive driver

Household: wife Dorothea, son Peter, apprentice painter and decorator

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Lived and worked in Radcliffe on Trent