A Wildgust

Unknown

According to the information on the memorial, A Wildgust served in the Northumberland Fusiliers; there is no A. Wildgust (or Wildgust, NF) listed on CGWC or SDGW. However, there was an Arthur Wildgust in the Northumberland Fusiliers (15752 Private) who was the son of John and Hannah Wildgust and the brother of Wilfred and Edith. In 1911 the family lived at 35 Wilford Crescent East, Meadows, Nottingham; Arthur was unemployed. Arthur attested on 5 September 1914 at the age of 24 years 342 days, occupation warehouseman, and joined the 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. He served in France from 25 August 1915 and was wounded on 7 July 1916 (gunshot wound right leg). He served at home from 10 July 1916 until he was discharged on 19 July 1917 aged 27 (b. October 1889) as no longer physically fit for war service (served 2 years 288 days). He was discharged to 69 Muskham Street, Meadows, Nottingham. He received a Silver War Badge. An Arthur Wildgust born October 1889 died in Nottingham on 30 March 1976 aged 86. The following articles from the Boots 'Comrades in Khaki' house magazine might relate to the A Wildgust on the Boots Retail Branches memorial Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, December 1915, ‘The Union of Hearts’: extract, ‘The kindly acknowledgements from the boys who receive parcels make a big mail bag: and a very touching collection the letters are … Island Street, London Road, the Offices, and in fact all the other departments have each received a big budget of letters of thanks. Jack Nall and A Wildgust, both of whom have now passed through the portals of death, are among the writers. The latter acknowledges a parcel of cigarettes, and the former writes, ‘I wish to thank you and all the boys for the good things you have sent. They were extra, and went down a treat … All the chaps wish you to thank the girls for the mittens they have knitted.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38) Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, March 1916, ‘Service Correspondence’: (Island Street) ‘Private A Wildgust, another writer, is very emphatic in his thanks for the knitted articles sent out by Boots girls. ‘The scarf and mittens’, he says, ‘are just the very things needed, for we are often out all night when it is bitterly cold. Sometimes we are sent on duty as listening post, when we may have to lie for hours on damp ground between our trenches and those of the Germans. Then it is nice to feel the warmth of these articles, and it also makes us glad to know that we are remembered by our friends at home, and we feel grateful for their thoughtfulness and sending us these warm things.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38)