Rifleman Edward Milton Wilson
| Date of Birth | c. 1899 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 24 October 1918 |
| Service Number | 394515 |
| Military Service | 9th Battalion, London Regiment |
| Merton Address | 70 Acre Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
Edward was born in Tooting in 1899 and was baptised on 2 April 1899 at Holy Trinity, Upper Tooting. His mother, Sarah and his father Edward Snr. lived at 16 Langroyd Road, Tooting, together with Edward’s older sister Ethel. Edward Snr. had the unusual occupation of Lunatic Attendant at the Middlesex Asylum. By 1911 the family had moved to 114 Fircroft Road, Tooting and Edward was now 12 years of age. His sister Ethel had left the family home and was living as a Wardmaid at Fulham Infirmary, Hammersmith.
Edward enlisted at Kingston upon Thames as a Rifleman with the 9th Battalion (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), London Regiment. His regiment saw action on the Western Front, and the Battalion’s War Diary records heavy shelling on 22 October1918 which resulted in twenty casualties. It is possible that Edward was one of the casualties, as he died of wounds the following day, sadly barely three weeks before the Armistice on 11 November 1918.
Edward is buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery, and the inscription on his grave, chosen by his family reads: “ He Giveth His Beloved Sleep”. Edward is also commemorated locally at Christ Church, Colliers Wood.
Edward’s father would have received his medals, and money owing from his last pay which amounted to £11.5.3 which included the £9.00 War Gratuity. The family were then living at 70 Acre Road, Colliers Wood.