Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: George Herbert Wilson

Ancestor's date of birth: 27/04/1877

Ancestor's date of death: 1939

Cause of Death: Illness related to severe wounds received at Fromelles 1916 as an officer in 51 Fd Battery AIF

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born Curragh camp, Dundalk, Co Kildare, Ireland, the son of a British Regular Soldier, served in the 1^st Volunteer Battalion the Essex Regiment in England in 1897, The Ceylon Artillery in 1899 and Ceylon Planter RC.

Service Number: 1362

Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: South Africa

Unit: 'B' Squadron, Bethune's Mounted Infantry

Rank attained in Boer War: CPL, Date Effective: Not known

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): LT, Date Effective: 05/06/1916

Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit

Contingent: Not applicable

Ship: Not applicable

Memorial details: Norther Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps,QSA+CC,SA01,SA02. 1906 rebellion medal. British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal Characteristics: Height 173 cm, weight 60 kg (1915)

Reasons to go and fight: Family had a service background

Details of service in war: Enlisted in Bethunes Mounted Infantry in South Africa as a trooper 25-5-01 and promoted Corporal during 1901. Took part in patrols against Smuts' commando in 1901-02 in Cape Colony, transferred to depot 31-6-1902 (not discharged) and enlisted in Cape Mounted Police,

Service and life after the Boer War: Married Camille. Attached to Royston's Horse for 1906 Natal Rebellion, served also in 31st SA Field Regiment 1907 and Cape Garrison Artillery 1908, Migrated to Australia 1908. Served in St Georges English Rifle Regiment (NSW) 1909-1911(Militia). Was a public servant living in Ashfield NSW in 1915. Enlisted in the AIF 14 August 1915 as 2LT 14th reinforcements 13th Bn AIF, transferred to 13 Field Artillery Brigade Trench Mortar Battery then to 51 Bty, 5th Field Artillery Brigade, 5th Aust Division 5-7-1916 and promoted Lt. Severely wounded at Fromelles 19-7-1916 and returned to Australia in April 1917 and discharged as unfit for further service. Longtime editor of "Fruit Culture" during 1920s and 30s and involved in the fruit industry for 25 years. Died in Melbourne but service and burial conducted from St John's Gordon, NSW

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Peter Wilson, Northbridge NSW,
Relationship to Ancestor: Great grandson

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