Wilson, William Blythe (William)
Private
No. 8884, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Died of wounds on Friday 8 June 1917 (aged 28)
Buried:
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), France (Grave III. B. 264)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Private William Wilson (No. 8884) was born in Holywood and enlisted in Belfast.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects, it is recorded that the legatees of Private William Wilson (No. 8884) were his sister, Margaret B., and his brother, John.
Private William Wilson (No. 8884) served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and he died of wounds in the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) on 8 June 1917.
Private William Wilson (No. 8884) was buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), France.
William Blythe Wilson was born on 23 March 1889 at Sullivan Street, Holywood and he was a son of Hugh and Margaret (Maggie) Wilson (nee Blythe) who were married on 2 November 1886 in May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast. Hugh Wilson, a labourer from Holywood, was a son of John Wilson, a labourer. Maggie Blythe from Holywood was a daughter of Michael Blythe, a gardener.
Hugh and Maggie Wilson (nee Blythe) had four children:
John (born 23 February 1887 at Hill Street, Holywood)
William Blythe (born 23 March 1889 at Sullivan Street, Holywood)
Hugh (born 5 June 1891 at 17 Montrose Street, Belfast; died of pulmonary phthisis 1 May 1900 at 10 Douglas Street, Belfast)
Margaret Blythe (born 22 December 1893 at 34 Montrose Street, Belfast)
In 1901 William Wilson was living with Richard and Margaret Kane in Roundhill Street, Belfast, while Maggie was living with Edward and Alice Wilson in Britannic Street, Belfast.
William’s brother John was also on active service during the Great War.