Thomas Wilson

Gunner Thomas Wilson

126475 Gunner

47th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery,

Age: 34

Date of Death: 29.10.17

Buried: Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery Grave III.G.5

Family history: Thomas lived at Webster’s Buildings, Polmont with his wife Agnes and their child. Before enlisting in October 1916 he was employed as head salesman at the Polmont Station branch of Redding Co-operative Society Ltd.

The action leading to his death

The Siege Batteries were employed behind the front line and their role was to destroy enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores and putting down fire on strong points. They were equipped with Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8, or 9.2inch shells in a high trajectory. Some batteries were also equipped with huge 12 inch railway or road mounted howitzers. The death notice in the Falkirk Herald reports that he was killed by a bomb splinter.

Medals Awarded:

The British War Medal, Victory Medal

Gunner Thomas Wilson, Royal Garrison Artillery. Medal Index Card

Headstone

Gunner Thomas Wilson, Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery. Authors image