Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: James Leslie Wilson
Ancestor's date of birth: 23/02/1880
Ancestor's date of death: 02/12/1954
Cause of Death: Progressive cerebral thrombosis Hypertension Hypostatic pneumonia
Service Number: 1037
Colony or State of enlistment: VIC
Place of Enlistment: North Melbourne
Unit: 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles.
Rank attained in Boer War: Private, Date Effective: 01/01/1901
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Not known
Murray Page: 288
Contingent: Fifth Victorian.
Ship: S.S.Orient Date of Sailing: 15/02/1901
Memorial details: VMR Memorial Melbourne
Decorations: 2 South African Medal - S.A.1901&1902
Personal Characteristics: Loyal, so proud of his country Carried himself straight and tall Honest, trustworthy Would give his last penny to someone who was needy. Very supportive of his Mother left at "Home". I have all the letters he sent home & from these I can see the "Beautiful" and moral person he was. Fair. Great sense of humour. Popular with all who knew him.
Reasons to go and fight: Wanting to do "his bit" for King and Country.
Details of service in war:March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier under Beatson then Pulteney, including defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 killed and 42 wounded (12 June 1901), and successful intervention at Onverwacht (4 January 1902); heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent, at Wilmansrust suffered the costliest defeat.
Details of service after war: Garrison Duty in W.W.2 19th Oct 1939 - 15 APRIL 1944. 12 GARRISON BATTALION.
Descendent Details
Name of Descendent: Diane Carmichael, Bray Park Queensland
Relationship to Ancestor: Granddaughter
