Hull Pals Memorial Post. L/CPL WALTER WILSON 12/189. Born in 1887, Walter was one of seven children to William Wilson (1843-1889) and Jane Ann Wilson, of 6 Waltham Terrace, Walker Street, Hull (War Pension address). He had three brothers and three sisters. A Blacksmith’s Striker by trade. Described as 5 foot, 6 inches tall, 137 lbs weight, 35-37 inch chest, blue eyes, light brown hair, fair complexion, tattoos on both forearms, Wesleyan religion.
He enlisted on 14th September 1914 joining the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 3rd Hull Pals. He trained at Hull, Dalton Holme, Ripon and Salisbury army camps. He obviously impressed as he was quickly promoted to first acting and then full Lance Corporal. Walter was killed in action on 13th November 1916 during the last desperate act of the Somme campaign as the Pals attacked German positions around the French village of Serre. His body was never recovered and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial; he was 29 years old and served in the army for 2 years and 61 days.
Walter left behind a young lady the army records refer to as a ‘sweetheart’, one Miss Amelia Binks of 58 Lincoln Street, Hull. Unmarried, she was entitled to no war pension on the loss of her man. Another victim of war. .
HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL ON 12TH JANUARY 1917 WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH. *
