This soldier is listed on the Gronant Memorial as Wilfred Wilson ‘Terfyn’.  On all other records he is William Wilson.

William Wilson was recorded in the census of 1901 living with his family at 170 High Street Pendleton, West Salford. Head of the household was James Wilson 57, an Ironmonger who had been born in Stockport Cheshire. His wife Eliza was 43 and she was Salford born. Their listed children were Alice 17, a Garment Maker and the three boys William 10, Ernest 8 and James 7 were all at school. All had been born in Salford.

In the next census of 1911, the family was living at 18 Algernon Street Monton Green, (Eccles, Manchester). James Wilson 66 was listed as a Market Salesman. His wife of 22 years, Eliza was 52. She had given birth to five children, one of whom had died. The listed children in the household were  William 19, a Domestic Gardener, Ernest 18 was a ‘Calico Printer and Whalehansman’ and James 17 was a Shipping Clerk.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914-19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details at the top of this page. It adds that he enlisted in Prestatyn. This is the only additional link to Flintshire that has so far come to light. This source says he ‘Died’ which usually means illness or accident as opposed to being ‘killed in action’ or ‘ died of wounds’.  This seems unlikely as he was reported missing on the 23rd March which implies that he was probably killed in action. His medal index card also on ancestry lists his two medals and confirms both regiments.

There is an index card for William Wilson  in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. It is filed with the Gronant cards. The address given was 21 Alfred Street Monton Green, Eccles. The regiment and number are The Gloucestireshire Regiment 38746. It says he served from 27th November 1916 to the 23rd March 1918. The card says he was ‘missing 23rd March 1918’. The card was signed on 2nd December 1920 by E Wilson. (His wife Edith?)

The Commonwealth War Grave Certificate for William Wilson (See link above left) tells us that his parents were James and Eliza Wilson  and that he was a married man.  His wife was Edith Dorothy Wilson of 21 Alfred Street, Monton Green, Eccles.

This is confirmed in the UK register of soldier’s effects in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers. There is an entry for William Wilson. It confirms the death date as the 23rd March 1918 and says that Death was ‘presumed’ on that day. A total of £8..6sh ..10p was paid to Widow Edith on the 25th November 1919.

There are two distinct clues that tell us this is the William (Wilfred?) Wilson named on the Gronant Memorial. The first is that there is an index card for him in the Flintshire Roll of Honour . The second is that he enlisted in Prestatyn.  Apart from those two facts we have nothing else to connect him to Flintshire.

It would be excellent if we could clarify what his Flintshire connection was. Can anyone help?