Wilmot, Alfred Eardley

BORN HULL 1897. SON OF LAURENCE ROBERT & FLORENCE WILMOT, 31 LIDDELL ST & THEN MOVED TO SUNDERLAND. ARMY RECORDS ADDRESS.
Hull Pals Memorial Post. PRIVATE ALFRED EARDLEY WILMOT 28236. Born 1897, the eldest of two children, and only son, of Laurence and Florence Wilmot. Laurence was a Tailor by trade and the family found work in Hull where they settled at 30 Rodney Street around the turn of the century. Laurence enlisted in the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in December 1915, just as the original Pals shipped for Egypt. His enlistment form makes pains to point out that Alfred was a Wesleyan by faith, and this may have played some part in the timing of his joining up. There are sections of the Wesleyan faith which believe war is contrary to the teachings of the New Testament and I wonder if the date of his enlistment, being only a few days before conscription was introduced, suggests that Alfred may have felt compelled to join up even though it was against his wishes to fight. He may have volunteered for stretcher bearing duties for instance, rather than to kill the enemy. I’m speculating of course. Alfred was wounded during the fighting for Oppy Wood and shipped home to recuperate. He died of wounds on 11th August 1917 and is buried at Sunderland (Bishopwearmouth) Cemetery. He was 20 years old.