George Wilson (1897–1982)

Rifleman

Kings Royal Rifle Corps C/6895 18th Battalion

Photo courtesy Sharon Huckle

George Wilson

Biography
George was born 5 December 1897 and worked as a draper’s assistant before he joined the army.

Hat Factory, Crich

The Hat Factory, in centre of photograph, is where George was living in 1911.

He was captured in March 1918 at Bapaume, France, and was a PoW for eight months at the Münster II camp. After the war he worked as a railway goods guard and moved to London, where he married Ada Queenie Yalland at St Pancras Register Office, 8 October 1921. During WW2, he moved the family to Derbyshire, where they lived in the Ripley area.

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Courier, 7 December 1918
CRICH, LEA, & HOLLOWAY
At Crich Council School, on Saturday a peace dance was held on behalf of the blind soldiers. The MC's were Messrs LH Griffith and A Mercer, music was supplied by Mr H Kiddy’s band of Holloway
There is no indication of any abatement of the influenza scourge in the Crich district . The parochial and council schools have been closed for another fortnight. The German prisoners of war are also suffering from influenza, no fewer than from's 60 to 70 per cent of them being affected.
After having been for eight months a prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans, Rifleman George Wilson, of the factory, Crich arrived home on Monday. He came from Hull on Saturday. In a chat with our local correspondent he said they were put to work in the coal mines and were paid at the rate of 8 shillings per month. They were fed on black bread and cabbage water and they called it soup.

PoW Record
Wilson George, Private, 18th KRR, captured 24 March 1918 at Bapaume, born 5/2/98, address Hat Factory, Fritchley. In Munster II Camp.
[Note his date of birth is incorrect he was born 5/12/97]

Medal Roll Index Card
He received the Victory and British War Medals.

With thanks to Shaun J on RootsChat

George Wilson's brother James Wilson, who served in the Navy, is also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Millgreen, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George E Wilson Head 35 Limestone quarryman Crich
Eliza Wilson wife 38   Crich
James Wilson son 9   Fritchley
Elsie Wilson daughter 7   Fritchley
George Wilson son 3   Fritchley
Elizabeth Wilson daughter 1   Fritchley

RG13 piece 3231 folio 14 page 19

1911: Hat Factory, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Wilson Head 45 Limestone quarryman Crich
Eliza Wilson wife 47   Crich
James Wilson son 19 Engine driver at colliery Crich
Elsie Wilson daughter 17 General servant domestic Crich
George Wilson son 13 Drapers assistant Crich
Elizabeth Wilson daughter 11   Crich
John Wilson son 9   Crich
William Wilson son 7   Crich

RG14PN20983 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED12 SN137

1939 Register: Walthamstow; Northcote Road
George Wilson b.5 Dec 1897, Goods guard LMS Rly Co
Ada Wilson b.23 Nov 1896
William Wislon b.19 Aug 1923 Pickle factory hand
One closed record
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