William WILSON Private 18862, Northumberland Fusiliers. Died 6 th December 1918. William Wilson was born in 1892 in Middlestone Moor, near Spennymoor, but the 1911 Census shows him living at the Surtees Hotel in Howden-le-Wear with his widowed mother, his father William having died in 1908. He enlisted at Bishop Auckland in September 1914, and was assigned to the Northumberland Fusiliers. Following his training he was posted to France, but a year later, whilst engaging with the enemy between Vermilles and Loos, William received an incapacitating gunshot wound to his left hand and was also subject to gas poisoning. Medical Board reports recognised that the damage to his hand was permanent and he was given a final discharge with a pension on the grounds that he was no longer fit for war service. This was registered on the 4 th April 1918, with effect from 31 st October 1916. William was awarded a Silver War Badge which was issued to servicemen who had been honourably discharged owing to wounds or sickness. It was intended to be worn on civilian clothes on the right breast. William returned to Howden-le-Wear and worked at North Bitchburn Colliery where he was given a job that he could do despite his injury. William and his wife saw the Armistice together, but shortly afterwards he contracted influenza and died of pneumonia on the 6 th December 1918 at the age of 26. He is buried in St Mary's churchyard, Howden-le-Wear.

Remembering Our Fallen

Howden-le-Wear History Society

William was a keen footballer and in 1910 - 11 he played for the Howden-le- Wear Institute Amateur Football club and they won the 1 st Division League. William is on the front row, second from the right. Image courtesy of Howden-le-Wear History Society