Harold Wildgust
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold was the son of Walter and Maria Wildgust (née Marlow). His father Walter was born in 1860 at Basford and his mother Maria Marlow was born in Bulwell in 1864. They were married at Bulwell St Mary the Virgin & All Souls in 1883. They went on to have seven children, sadly four were to die in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were: Herbert b. 1886, John Henry and Harold b. abt. 1895 who were all were born in Bulwell. One of the children who died in infancy was Florence Elizabeth who was born in 1890 and died the same year. In both 1891 and 1901 Walter and his family were living with his widowed mother-in-law, Alice Marlow. They were at Bradford Street, Bulwell, in 1891 and Coventry Road, Bulwell, in 1901. In 1891 Walter was a colliery banksman and Maria was working as a hosiery chevoner but by 1901 Walter was employed as a caretaker and rural postman. By 1911 census the family was living at 109 Coventry Road, Bulwell: Walter (50) chapel caretaker, Maria (46) and their sons John Henry (22) a coal miner hewer and Harold (16) a hosiery bleacher. Herbert had married Nellie Richardson in 1906 and they were living on China Street, Bulwell, with their two children. Harold married Beryl Edith Hardy at Bestwood Park Emmanuel on 23 October 1916; there were no children of the marriage. At the time of his death in 1918 they were living at 37 Bestwood Colliery Nottingham. Harold's brother Herbert also served in the army and was killed in 1917 (see record on this Roll of Honour). Their parents Walter and Maria were still living at 109 Coventry Road, Bulwell, in 1939; Walter had retired as a church caretaker. They continued to live at the same address until their deaths; Walter in 1940 and Maria in 1945.
Private Harold Wildgust enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 7/8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Harold died of wounds on 5th August 1918 and is buried in Arneke British Cemetery, France (grave ref. III.C.3). CWGC - History of Arneke British Cemetery (extract): 'The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals.' (www.cwgc.org)
Harold's brother Herbert served in the 1st Bn Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) and was killed in action on 3 May 1917 (Arras Memorial). See record on this Roll of Honour'. CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die' Nottingham Evening Post, 17 August 1918: ‘Wildgust. Died of wounds in hospital, August 5th 1918, Private Harold Wildgust, Royal Innhiskilling Fus., beloved husband of Beryl Edith Wildgust, 37, Bestwood Colliery, Nottingham. Requiescat in pace.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In memoriam' notice published 5th August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- "WILDGUST. – In affectionate remembrance of Pte. Harold Wildgust, who died of wounds in France August 5th, 1918, and was interred in the British Cemetery at Arneke. Requiescat in pace. – From his loving wife Beryl.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post,’Deaths’, 10 November 1945: ‘Wildgust. Maria, died November 8th, 1945, beloved wife of the late Walter, 109, Coventry-road, Buwell. Funeral Monday 12th at 2.15, Bulwell; service Baptist Chapel, 1.45pm. Son [John Henry] and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
