BORN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 11/04/1893. SON OF ROBERT WILSON (1863-1917) & LUCY BODEN (1854-1939), AT 17 WALLIKER STREET, HULL (CWGC ADDRESS). HIS FATHER WAS A TEA DEALER AND MARRIED LUCY BODEN, IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, ON 16/07/1886. HIS ELDER SIBLINGS, GERTRUDE AND ROBERT, WERE ALSO BORN IN AUSTRALIA. HIS FATHER RAN A CONFECTIONARY/TEA BUSINESS, IN HULL. HIS MOTHER WAS A BAKER.
THOMAS BODEN WILSON WORKED AS A GREENGROCER ASSISTANT BEFORE JOINING THE ROYAL NAVY ON 18/03/1909. HE WAS 5 FOOT, 6.5 INCHES TALL, 35 INCH CHEST, LIGHT BROWN HAIR, HAZEL EYES
HE SERVED AS LEADING SEAMAN, ON HMS “EXCELLENT”. ARRIVED AT NEWFOUNDLAND, ON 26/12/1915. HE WAS SEVERELY INJURED, ON 23RD AUGUST 1916 AND INVALIDED ON PENSION. HE DIED OF PYELITIS (kidney disorder), ON 23/10/1917, AT THE STAR AND GARTER HOSPITAL, PETERSHAM, RICHMOND, SURREY, AGED 24.
HE IS BURIED IN HULL WESTERN CEMETERY. HE LEFT £377 IN HIS WILL TO HIS FATHER, ROBERT WILSON, WHO WAS A TEA DEALER.
Thomas Boden Wilson was born on 11th April, 1893 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to parents Robert and Lucy Wilson (nee Boden). The 1901 England Census recorded Thomas B. Wilson as a 7 year old, living with his family at 491 Anlaby Rd – Fruit Shop, Hessle, Sculcoates, Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England. His parents were listed as Robert Wilson (Green Grocer & Confectioner (Baker), aged 38, born Bridlington, Yorkshire) & Lucy Wilson (aged 45, born Matlock, Derbyshire). Thomas was the youngest of three children listed on this Census – Gertrude Wilson (School, aged 13, born Townsville, Queensland), Robert J. Wilson (aged 9, born Brisbane, Queensland) then Thomas. Also listed was: Ellen Laycock (Niece, Cook domestic), aged 24, born Hull, Yorkshire).
Thomas Boden Wilson joined the Royal Navy as a 15 year old. He was given a Service number of J.3900. (Plymouth). His occupation was listed as Greengrocers Assistant.
Thomas Boden Wilson was rated as Boy II on 18th March, 1909 on H.M.S. Ganges. He was transferred to H.M.S. Impregnable on 19th June, 1909 & was promoted to Boy 1st Class on 8th October, 1909 still on board H.M.S. Impregnable. Boy 1st Class Thomas Boden Wilson was transferred to H.M.S. Leviathan on 18th May, 1910 then transferred to H.M.S. Illustrious on 17th September, 1910. He was transferred to H.M.S. Hawke on 25th November, 1910 then to H.M.S. Hermes on 21st December, 1910. On 11th April, 1911, having attained the age of 18 years, Thomas Boden Wilson signed on with the Royal Navy for 12 years. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman on that date, still serving with H.M.S. Hermes. The 1911 England Census recorded Thomas B. Wilson as an 18 year old “Boy” as part of the crew on board H.M.S. Hermes which was a 2nd Class Protected Cruiser of the Royal Navy. H.M.S. Hermes was at New Dockyard,
Simonstown, near Cape Town, South Africa on the night of the Census – Sunday 2nd April, 1911. [The 1911 Census recorded Thomas’ parents living at 17 Walliker St, Hull, Yorkshire, England in a 6 roomed dwelling. Robert Wilson (Fruiter, aged 48) & Lucy Wilson (aged 52) had been married for 24 years & had 4 children, 2 of whom had since died. Their only other child – Robert John Wilson (Mechanic, aged 19) was listed on the Census with this parents.] Ordinary Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson was promoted to Able Seaman on 24th October 1912, still serving on board H.M.S. Hermes. Ordinary Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson passed educationally for Petty Officer on 3rd December, 1912 & was granted Educational Certificate in February, 1913. Ordinary Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson was transferred to H.M.S. Excellent on 16th April, 1913 then transferred to H.M.S. Victory on 18th November, 1913. Ordinary Seaman Wilson was transferred to H.M.S. Hecla (Unity) on 31st March, 1914. He was promoted to Leading Seaman on 1st October, 1915 still serving on H.M.S. Hecla. Leading Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson was transferred to H.M.S. Victory I on 28th October, 1915 then transferred to H.M.S. Excellent on 17th November, 1915 until 23rd August, 1916. Leading Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson’s Service Sheet has the following details listed “N.P. 11/16 Severely injured by being struck by a __guy” and “Invalided Fracture – dislocation of Lumbar Spine with consequent dislocation” It appears he received a Pension from 12th September, 1916. Leading Seaman Thomas Boden Wilson died on 23rd October, 1917 at The Star and Garter Hospital, Petersham, Richmond, Surrey from Spinal fracture. The Star and Garter Home in Richmond, London was a specialist hospital set up by the British Red Cross Society in 1916 for servicemen who had been severely disabled during the First World War. The building was formerly a hotel, and it provided facilities for long-term rehabilitation and care.
Thanks to the following for the above information – https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/7/8/4978039/wilson__thomas_boden.pdf
