Pte 22296 Ernest Wilson

• Age: 19
• From: Whitchurch, Salop
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 29th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: IV.E.10

Ernest Wilson was born in Whitchurch in 1896. He was the fourth son of James Wilson and his wife Elizabeth (nee Bennion). His mother, then Elizabeth Hopwood, married Henry Bennion in 1878. Her husband died in 1884. She then remarried to James Wilson.

On the 1891 census father James is 40, a Tailor, living at 153 Chester Rd, Whitchurch b.Mayo, Ireland. Mother Elizabeth 35, step-son William 12, step-daughter Elizabeth 8, Mary Ann Wilson 3, Walter 1.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 20 Highgate, Whitchurch. His mother ,Elizabeth, is head of the household, she is married, aged 44, born in Cheshire in 1857 with no occupation listed. She has five children living with her. William Bennion aged 22 born 1879, is a bricklayer, Walter aged 12, born 1889, Helen aged 9, born 1892, Arthur aged 6, born 1895 are all at school and Ernest aged 4.  All her children were born in Whitchurch.

The 1911 Census finds Ernest, aged 14, a bakers errand boy, living with his married step-brother William Henry Bennion at 11 Victoria Terrace, Aigburth. Head William Henry Bennion 32 a gardener, wife Mary 27, children Winifred Mary 4, William Norman 2, Albert Henry 7mths. 

Ernest enlisted in Liverpool on the 06^th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22296. He gave his age as 19 years and 1 day and his occupation as a Clerk. He was five feet, three and half inches tall, weighed 116lbs, had blue eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

His service papers have survived and show the following:

06.03.15: Falling on parade? Confined to barracks for three days.

03.05.15: Absent from fatigue? 10.15am-11.30am. Confined to barracks for three days.

07.11.15: He embarked for France with his Battalion.

09.11.15: Admitted to 48 Hospital.

12.11.15: being out of bounds. Punishment 13.11.15- 48 hours field punishment No 1.

31.07.16: Gunshot wound

28.08.16: Losing his equipment by neglect in the trenches. Punishment 09.09.16- three days field punishment No 1

He died of wounds at 43 Casualty Clearing Station on the 29^th December, 1916, aged 19.

It would appear lied about his age on enlistment as he was only aged 18 in 1914 and gave his age as 19 years and 1 day.

His medals were sent to his sister Miss Mary Wilson a nurse at Union Infirmary, Warrington.

His death was reported in the Whitchurch Herald on 20th January 1917: 

"Pte, Ernest Wilson a Whitchurch Boy, K.L.R. (Pals) age 19, after a year’s active service and participating in severe action has died of wounds in No 43 Casualty Clearing Station, France. Ernest took part in the four big battles of the Somme offensive on July1/2 and his battalion were successful in entering and capturing their objective. He was also involved in very heavy fighting in Trones Wood on July 30th, where he received his first wound, which was slight and after a few days he again was in the thick of it. He was in heavy fighting in October, when many of his regiment fell but he was lucky enough to get through unhurt." 

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

Soldiers Effects to sister "Nurse Mary", Pension to Mary Wilson (this is Mary Ann). 

He is also commemorated on the SS Matthew & James C. of E. Church, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. 

We currently have no further information on Ernest Wilson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.