South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
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| Home | 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals | Stratford on Avon Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 30 Jul 1915 in France | ~ | Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial |
| Stratford Holy Trinity Church | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | Stratford Cemetery Memorial |
| Accidentally killed in Flyin Accident | 7 Mar 1915 in London | King Edward VI School, Stratford |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Yatesbury, Wiltshire | Pvt 1333 Royal Fusiliers | |
| Royal Warwickshire Regiment | ||
- Appointed as a 2nd Lt in the field on 29 Sep 1916 into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
- Fought in the Battle of the Lys, Battle Polygon Wood and Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and was twice wounded in action
- Transferred to the Royal Air Force on 29 Apr 1918
Circumstances of Death
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Harry was killed in a flying accident while test flying a new Sopwith Snipe R.E.8 fighter, serial number C2328, when it stalled during a turn, spun and nose dived into the ground near Yatesbury, Wiltshire (Source)
The following obituary appeared in the Stratford Herald on Friday 23rd August 1918. On Wednesday of last week Lieutenant H. B. Wilson 15th Royal Warwicks, was flying over Stratford on Avon and dropped a note to his mother; the following day [Thursday 15th August 1918] he was testing one of our new machines somewhere in Wiltshire when a mishap occurred and this gallant pilot lost his life. His decease will be mourned by many in the town for he was a young man of exceeding promise and enthusiasm who gave of his best whatever the call made upon him. When a boy at the Grammar School he displayed marked aptitude at football and cricket; he could always be relied upon never to let his side down and yet was capable of bringing off a daring coup and changing defeat into victory. When the war broke out he was at Aden with the Eastern Telegraph Company and as soon as he conveniently could he joined up with the Fusiliers as a private, serving eighteen months in France and being wounded on two occasions. Later he obtained a commission in the 15th Royal Warwicks but his great ambition was to join the air force and when the opportunity arose in May of this year he joined the R.A.F graduating as a pilot and showing much proficiency in the air. The body was brought to Stratford for burial on Monday and en route from the station to the cemetery there were many signs of sympathy with the family. The coffin which bore the inscription “Lieutenant H. B. Wilson 36 T.D.S. died August 15th 1918 aged 27 years” was covered with the Union Jack and four of his brother officers Lieutenant Davis (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) Lieutenant Black (Highland Light Infantry) Lieutenant Stackhouse (Royal Air Force) and Lieutenant Patterson (King’s Liverpool Regiment) acted as bearers. The Lieutenant was buried with full military honours, a firing party being in attendance from Budbrooke. A number of beautiful floral tributes were sent by relatives and friends including a handsome wreath from his brother officers. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1891 in Stratford on Avon | 29 Sep 1891 in Stratford on Avon |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Rev. Herbert and Ada Rosina Wilson | Rowley Lodge, Stratford on Avon |
| Schools | Colleges |
| King Edward VI School | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1891 - Rowley Crescent, Stratford on Avon | 1901 - Student at King Edward School |
| 1901 - Rowley Crescent, Stratford on Avon | 1907 - Employed by Eastern Telegraph Company |
| 1911 - Aden? | 1914 - Eastern Telegraph Company, Aden |
| 1915 - Rowley Lodge, Rowley Crescent, Stratford | 1915 - Gentleman Farmer |
| 1918 - Eastcote, Stratford on Avon | |