Private Peter Wilson WW1- 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers

[makalalee]

Hi

I am trying to find information on my great uncle Peter Wilson. He was in the 2nd Bn of the Royals Scots Fusiliers and his number was 40349. I know he was killed on the 12th of October 1916 in France and Flanders. I am trying to find out if he was a stretcher bearer and when he first went to France and when he joined up. He was from Broxburn and I know that there was a few of them from a local brass band that joined up at the same time.
Any pictures or info would be great
Thanks
L

[Currie]

Hello Makalalee, and Welcome to TalkingScot,

About two thirds of WW1 British Army service records were destroyed during WW2 bombing. The records that survived are available at Ancestry. If you are lucky there may be something there. That organization also has Medal Index Cards which contain limited but useful information.

His name is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves site and also at the Scottish National War Memorial.

This looks like it may be him on a casualty list in The Scotsman, on 15 March, 1915. Many soldiers were patched up and sent back to the War. http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad28 ... ounded.jpg

Notification of his death appeared in The Scotsman, 13 November, 1916. The town next to his name, I think, is usually that of the next-of-kin. http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad28 ... killed.jpg

It seems likely he was killed during one of the later phases of the Battle of the Somme. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somme_1916

Hope that helps,
Alan

[Rockford]

Hi Makalalee,

The Service Records and Medal Index Cards as suggested by Alan would be a good starting point, as the MIC would probably confirm the date he entered a 'theatre of war' - which would not be the same date as his date of enlistment.

It seems that the National Archives of Scotland hold a Pay Book Will for him.

Reference: SC70/8/425/21
Title: Will of 40349 Private Peter Wilson, 2nd Bn., Royal Scots Fusiliers, Cause of death: Killed in action, France, Theatre: France and Flanders, 12 Oct 1916
Dates: 22 Aug 1916

I was able to get a copy of one for a relation of mine, which NAS copied for £10. It didn't give much information, but confirmed his next of kin and her address. It also gave the date on which the Will was made, which for my relation was the date he travelled for France.

Another place to go might be the Great War Forum website at http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/ , which is full of knowledgeable people and there's probably a RSF expert there somewhere. You could also try the Long Long Trail site http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/research ... r-soldier/ , which offers tips on how to find out more information.

If you haven't looked there already, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission [www.cwgc.org] indicates that he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Closer to home, it seems that there was a newspaper mention of his death in the Midlothian Advertiser on 3 Nov 1916:

Newspaper: MIDLOTHIAN ADVERTISER
Subject: WILSON, PETER PRIVATE
Abstract: PRIVATE PETER WILSON KILLED IN ACTION, 1916. A RESIDENT OF BROXBURN.
Date: 03 NOV 1916
Page number: 2

This comes from the Local Studies pages of West Lothian Council's website [see http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/tourism/LocalHistory/ ] and go to the Newspaper Index search link on the right hand side.

If you contact them, they may send you a copy.

Best wishes

Brian

[apanderson]

Some nice pictures of Broxburn & Uphall Civic Memorial here: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtop ... warmemscot

Unfortunately, there's no names listed.

I also had a look on Ancestry to see if there were any Service Records, but couldn't find anything.

Anne

[Roxy]

Hi Makalalee,

54 men of the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers died on 12 Oct 1916. Most are commemorated on Pier and Face 3C of the Thiepval Memorial; 13 men are interred in CWGC cemeteries.

I am also looking up Ancestry to see if I can find anything - no joy as yet.

Glad you liked the photos, Anne!

Roxy

[Roxy]

Peter's details from the Scottish National War Memorial:

http://www.snwm.org/website/frames.html

Surname WILSON
Firstname Peter
Service Number 40349
Date Death 12/10/1916
Decoration
Place of birth
Other 2nd Bn.
SNWM roll THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS
Rank Pte
Theatre of death F.& F.

Roxy

[Roxy]

And from CWGC:

WILSON, PETER
Rank:Private
Service No:40349
Date of Death:12/10/1916
Regiment/Service:Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 3 C.
Memorial:THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casua ... N,%20PETER

Roxy

[Roxy]

I've yet to find anything regarding 2 RSF on 12 Oct 16 - they were part of 90th Brigade, which was part of 30th Division. However, below is a link to a Bedfordshire Regiment website. It has the Operations Order for 89th Brigade - part of 30th Division and 'next' to 90th Brigade. It gives some indication of waht Peter Wilson died trying to achieve.

http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/2ndbn ... dices.html

Roxy

[Roxy]

I suspect that this is pure coincidence, but I'm from Broxburn and my Dad used to drink with a Peter Wilson. This Peter must have been born c 1930, though. A cousin, perhaps?

Roxy

[makalalee]

Thanks to everyone who helped me with this and sorry for taking sooooo long to respond this was due to me being unwell.

@ Roxy - That could possibly be my Dads cousin. One of my Uncle's still stay in Broxburn. What is your Dad's name and I can see if any of the family remember him?