Frederick Lawrence Wilson

Frederick Lawrence Wilson enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 14th September 1914 (2467 Private) shortly after the outbreak of war and served with the British Expeditionary Force from June 1915. He obtained a commission in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) in May 1916. Frederick was with a patrol drawn from 'D' Company on 22 November when it encountered a German patrol in no man's land. Fire was exchanged and Frederick was wounded in the thigh by shrapnel and died of his wounds the following day. He was buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. 4.C.11).He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.See also 'Extra Information'

Extract from De Ruvignys Roll of Honour 1914-1919:- 'Wilson Frederick Lawrence, 2nd Lieut 6th (Territorial) battalion The Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding Regiment, eldest son of Frederick Samuel Wilson, 1 College Road, Winchmore Hill, London, by his wife Ruth daughter of the late William Dearle. Born Edgware Road, London 19th July 1894, educated at Holborn Grammar School, London, matriculating at King's College London in June 1911 and Kelham Theological College, Newark upon Trent where he was studying with a view to taking Holy Orders, when war broke out he volunteered for foreign service, and enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 14th September 1914, he served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from June 1915, he obtained a commission in the West Riding Regiment in May 1916 and died 23 November following wounds received in action. Buried at Saulty. Lieut- Colonel C M Bateman wrote, 'I always found your son a very wiling and hard working young officer, and he was one in whom I placed the greatest trust and confidence. Although rather young, he always carried out his duties thoroughly and cheerfully, and we can ill afford to lose such fine young fellows. I can assure you his death is deeply felt in the battalion. I sent over and had a very nicely painted wooden cross placed on his grave, as a last token of respect from myself, his brother officers, and his non commissioned officers and men.' Capt S H Clough wrote, 'The battalion has lost one of its keenest and mist efficient officers, one who put his heart into everything he did, and one that it could ill afford to lose. Such officers as he are very hard to replace. It is some consolation to know that he gave his life for his country's cause, which is the biggest sacrifice that a man can make.' ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in the Great War: A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Stephen Barber: ‘On 21 November [1916] a few German artillery salvos were fired at Foncquevillers but apart from that the day was misty and quiet. The mist allowed daylight patrols to be sent out and one patrol from D Company encountered a German patrol working in no man’s land and engaged them with Lewis machine-gun fire. Second Lieutenant Frederick Lawrence Wilson (22) from London was wounded in the thigh by shrapnel and died on the 23rd. He was born in 1894 at Edgeware Road, London and was the son of Frederick and Ruth Wilson of College Road, Winchmore Hill, London. He enlisted as a private on 14 September 1914 in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He served with the British Expeditionary Force from June 1915 and was commissioned into the 1/6th DWR in May 1916. Before the war he was studying theology at the Society of the Sacred Mission college at Newark with a view to taking holy orders.’ Then follows transcripts of letters to his parents from Lieutenant Colonel Bateman and Captain Sam H Clough. (books.google.co.uk)Probate: Wilson Frederick Lawrence of 1 College-avenue Winchmore Hill Middlesex second-lieutenant 6th Duke of Wellington regiment died 23 November 1916 in France Administration London 20 February to Frederick Samuel Wilson railway agent. Effects £127 0s. 3d.