Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Wilson, a granite quarry worker, born 1862 in Huncote, Leicestershire and his wife Harriett Wilson (nee Wallis, married on St. Stephen’s Day 1887 in Croft Parish Church), a postmistress, born 1863 in Leicestershire. Arthur Wallis was born in the 4th quarter of 1897 in Croft, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 13th December 1897 in Croft Parish Church. Arthur’s mother died in November 1897 aged 34, and was buried on the 30th November in Croft Parish Churchyard. In March 1901 Arthur was residing at Glebe Farm Cottages, Croft, together with his widowed father, a granite quarry worker, and his cousin, George Ernest Wilson, born 1889 in Leicester, this was the family home of Arthur’s paternal grandfather, Robert Wilson, an agricultural labourer, born 1835 in Welford, Northamptonshire and his wife Harriett Wilson, born 1835 in Huncote. In April 1911 Arthur was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at the Conservative Club, Oundle, Northamptonshire, together with his father, a domestic gardener, and his stepmother, Amy Coulson Wilson (nee Stanley, married in the 2nd quarter of 1903 in the Oundle, Northamptonshire district), a caretaker, born 1879 in London. Arthur had a half blood sibling, Hilda Mary Wilson, born on the 25th October 1912 in the Oundle, Northamptonshire district.
Arthur enlisted into the Regular Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 14901. He gave his place of birth as Croft, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 30 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as footman.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 5¾ inches in height, weighed 116 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole right forearm, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Arthur Wilson, Church Street, Oundle, Northamptonshire, his mother Amy Wilson and his step brother.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Leicester. 8/9/14.
Posted. To 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. 25/9/14.
Transferred. To 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. ?/?/?
Embarked 29/7/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal. 8/10/15.
Posted. To 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. 15/3/16.
Appointed. Unpaid Lance Corporal. In the Field. 15/3/16.
To Hospital. In the Field. 6/6/16
Admitted. 49th Field Ambulance. Influenza. In the Field 6/6/16.
Transferred. To 37th D.R.S. In the Field 13/6/16.
Admitted. To 37th D.R.S. Debility In the Field 13/6/16.
Transferred. To 20th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field 27/6/16.
Admitted. To 20th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field 27/6/16.
Appointed Lance Corporal (Paid) vice Clow (To England). In the Field 7/10/16.
Discharged. From 20th Casualty Clearing Station to duty. In the Field 23/10/16
Rejoined. 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. In the Field 2/11/16.
Granted leave 10/1/17 to 20/1/17. In the Field 31/7/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/9/14 – 28/7/15. 324 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 30/7/17. 2 years 1 day.
Total service. 2 years 325 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Arthur’s surviving service record amounts to a total of seventeen pages, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 28-31 Jul-17 - TRENCHES. Enemy unusually inactive. On the nights of 29th/30th July two Companies opened rapid fire on TUNNEL TRENCH and the enemy replied by shelling Battalion Headquarters and the Battalion on our right and left. Total casualties for the period July 1st to the 31st, 2 officers wounded, 2 other ranks killed and 14 other ranks wounded.