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May 1881 - 22/04/1918

Place of birth: Bromley, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: 11 Weston Grove

Military information

Regiment/Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion/Ship: 157th Siege Bty
Rank: Gunner
Number: 101346

Family information

Parents: William Thomas & Frances Alwen (nee Churcher)
Parents' occupation: Carpenter
Siblings: Annie Frances, Ada, Sydney Will, Ernest J, Bertha Susan, William Thomas
Relatives on War Memorial: WILSON, J.A., WILSON, W.E.
Wife: Janet Mary Mabel Wilson
Marriage date: 30-01-1909
Children: John William (d), George James

Census information

1891
Address: 9 Weston Grove
1901
Address: 11 Weston Grove
Occupation: Postman
1911
Address: 11 Weston Grove
Occupation: Postman

Extra details

William was born in May 1881, the youngest child of William Thomas and Frances Alwen.

After attending the National School, College Road, he started as a boy messenger at Bromley Post Office on 7th February 1895, was appointed as auxiliary postman on 8th August 1897 and was placed on the establishment on 16th October 1898.

William married Janet Mary Mabel Wilson on 30th January 1909. Their first son, John William died shortly after birth; their second son, George, was born in 1913.

William joined the forces in 9/12/1915, was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery on 19/6/1916. He was in hospital, in England from 22/7/1917 to 31/8/1917 with myalgia. He was posted to the Front on 22/11/1917 and died in hospital from gunshot wound to his chest.

From his surviving records we know that he was 5ft 9ins tall. The following belongings were returned to Janet :- Letters, photos, pipe, 2 penny stamps, 18 carat gold ring, purse, wallet, cards, match box holder, cigarette case, a small photo, scissors, glass mirror (in case), coin, disc & chain. Janet was awarded a pension of 20s 5d a week pension.

Janet also lost two brothers, John Augustus and William Edward Wilson.