South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


2nd Lieutenant Belford Alexander Wallis WILSON MC - 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

Killed in action on Wednesday 26th September 1917 aged 42


Military History

     
Theatre of War in Which Died Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders Military Cross Tyne Cot Memorial
  1914-15 Star   
First Arrived in Theatre British War & Victory Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
1915 in the Dardenelles South African (Boer War) Medal  Leamington Spa War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Other War Memorials
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) 15 Dec 1915 Commissioned to 2nd Lt Clifton College War Memorial
    Dedworth War Memorial, Berks
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
Shrewsbury Forest, Ypres 2nd Bn Hampshire Regiment  
  Corp in Ceylon Planters Rifles   

Military Cross Citation

26 Jan 1917 -  "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led two companies to the front line under very heavy fire with great gallantry. Later, he rendered valuable services in organising and leading supply parties to the front line during a period of three days."; Bar to MC LG Sup 16 Aug 1917 pg 8356 - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst in charge of a party covering digging operations by his battalion, he occupied and held a position within 25 yards of the enemy's sap, afterwards driving them back and repulsing all attempts to re-occupy the sap. His resolution and skilful dispositions enabled the very difficult task of entrenching close to the enemy's wire to be successfully carried out." Gazette.

 

 

Circumstances of Death

Belford is listed as being killed in action on 26th September 1917. The 14th Battalion war diary entries for the period 25th to 27th September are transcribed below.

Cottage Camp – 25 Oct 1917: Form ? and provide carrying parties. Battalion then moved out of camp up to Shrewsbury Forest sector and took over up assembly positions in front of 11 Bn R Sussex Regt.

Shrewsbury Forest – 26 Oct 1917: Battalion attacked at 5.50am, 1st Objective being Tower Hamlets and 2nd Objective Tower Trench. Heavy casualties through M.G. fire. Objectives were reached and held and consolidation carried out on our side of Tower Trench.

Casualties: Major Goldsmith died of wounds;  Killed Capt T R Nicholls, Lt Bainbridge, 2/Lt B A Wilson ; wounded 2/Lt H Sangster, 2/Lt’s Butt, Berras and Thomas. Other ranks 41 killed; 113 wounded.

Heavy shelling and sniping by enemy all day.

Shrewsbury Forest – 27 Oct 1917: Very quiet morning. Shelling by enemy during afternoon which slackened at night.

Casualties: Killed and wounded Nil; Gassed 5

Relieved by 13th R Fusiliers in front lines & 13 K.R.R. in support line


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
19 Nov 1874 at Stoughton, Sussex          17 Jan 1875 at Stoughton, Sussex                                        
   
Parents Names Abode
Robert Belford Wallis and Katherine Fanny Wilson  53 Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1874 - Stoughton, Sussex          1881 - Scholar 
1881 - Adsdean House, Westbourne, Sussex  1891 - Student at Clifton College
1891 - 28, College Road, Clifton, Barton Regis, Gloucs  1914 - Estate Owner in Ceylon 
1901 - Not found  
1911 - 53 Kenilworth Road, Leamington Spa (father)  
1914 - Nutbourne Estate, Ambawella, Ceylon  
1917 - Nutbourne Estate, Ambawella, Ceylon  
   
  • Record for Belford have been difficult to find subsequent to the 1891 census and in addition