Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Wileman, a coal miner, born 1839 in Measham, Leics., and his wife Rose Hannah Wileman, born 1844 in Moira, Leics. Ambrose was born in 1878 in Flintshire, Wales, his siblings were, Arthur, born 1874, Hannah, born 1876 and John, born 1881, the latter three siblings were all born in Moira, Leics., in April 1881 the family homer was at Illslesy Row, Moira, Leics. In April 1891 Ambrose was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Illsleys Row, Moira, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Arthur, a coal miner, John, a schoolboy, Esther, a schoolgirl, born 1884 and Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1886, the latter two siblings were both born in Moira, Leics. In April 1911Ambrose was employed as a coal miner and was residing as a boarder at Sun Street, Woodville, Staffs., this being the family home of his married sister, Hannah Deakin and her husband, William Deakin, a sanitary pipe works labourer, born 1876, in Burton upon Trent, staffs., also residing in the family home were their children, Florence Dorothy, born 1908 and John William, born 1910, both children were born in Woodville, Staffs. Ambrose served in the South African War with the 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment.
On Friday May 21st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base, under date 2nd May:-
WOUNDED.
Second Battalion.
Baxter, 6259, Private J. E.
Fourth Battalion (T.F.).
Chapman, 3263, Private W., Gash, 2205, Private W., Lucas, 2196, Private A., Russell, 2286, Corporal G., Wykes, 2927, Private A. E.
WOUNDED AND MISSING.
Second Battalion.
Bates, 5440, Private A.
MISSING.
Eade, 11494, Private J. A., Wileman, 10098, Private J.
Information has been received in Loughborough of the following additional casualties in C (Loughborough) Squadron of the Leicestershire Yeomanry.
KILLED.
Trumpeter F. Kent, Trooper F. White (Quorn).
WOUNDED.
Corpl. F. Hammond, Trooper H. Gridgings (seriously), Trooper W. Lacey.
MISSING.
Trooper Keeley, Trooper Bert Diggle.
The War Diary for today records. All in position by 5.00am 10th March. At 7.30am the artillery bombardment commenced and at 7.45am C Coy followed by D Coy moved up by communication trench to the northern position of eastern face of PORT ARTHUR. At 8.05am B and C Coys advanced each Coy having two platoons in front line closely supported by the other two platoons in 2nd line. The advance was carried out at a steady double. The first line of enemy’s trenches was carried and the advance was continued over several other enemy’s trenches and communication trenches reaching the final objective (line P.O. to road) at about 5.20am. B Coy occupying that position of German trench extending from P. to the line joining D and 5 and C Coy on their right extending through O. to the road. Two platoons from each A and D Coys had supported B and C Coy in third line. The D Coy platoons occupied the houses about D. and covered C Coys rear and finally moved up on C Coys right joining C Coys to road D.N. Meanwhile owing to the 1st/39th edging off to their right a gap of about 200 yards of the first German trench been unaccounted for and this position was still held by Germans who moved down trench opposite our right. Two parties endeavoured to dislodge them from trench to north of wired house and from wired house opposite our right. One platoon of D Coy from Reserve under Capt ROMILLY succeeded in bombing them back down trench eventually up to within 20 yards of wired house, here a barricade was built and with two reserve platoons of A Coy was held until the SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS advancing from our left took the line. (The Coys in the front line at once commenced improving the German trench and reversed the parapet). About 5.00pm, the enemy endeavoured to retire north eastwards but with the 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS attacking from the west, the 3rd LONDON REGT. from the south west and the fire of A Coy enfilading them they raised the white flag and surrendered. About 80 prisoners were taken. About 3.40pm orders were received that the left of our advanced line was to swing round to P. to connect with 2nd/3rd GURKHAS this had already been done. At 3.45pm information received that the DEHRA DUN Bde was going to pass through to attack the BOIS DE BIEXZ and that GARWHAL Bde would remain on line T.P.O. and consolidate position. At 5.15pm Front line of I.A. Corps. from left to right 2nd/39th – 2nd/3rd – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. – 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS – 3rd LONDON REGT. – 1st/39th – up to this hour the right flank of forward line by road had been in the air. About midnight 10th/11th March the 2nd/39th were withdrawn and attached to the DEHRA DUN Bde.