Name
Joseph Alec Wilson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/11/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
149th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST
Plot XV, Row A, Grave 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance, St James' Church Memorial, Bushey, Oxhey Village Memorial, Wesleyan Methodist (now Bushey & Oxhey) Church Memorial, Oxhey, St Matthew’s Church Roll of Honour, Oxhey
Pre War
Born in Worton in Wiltshire, Joseph Alec Wilson was the son of Joseph Muir and Helen (nee Gordon) Wilson. The birth of Joseph Alick (an alternative spelling for Alec) Wilson was registered in Devizes (which includes Worton) in the last quarter of 1894. It is thought he later used the name Alec rather than Joseph to avoid confusion with his father’s name. His parents were married on 20 July 1889 in Walthamstow, Essex.
At the 1901 census, Alec was six years old and living with his parents and two sisters at 142 Villiers Road in Bushey. Joseph and Helen were 38 and 29 years old respectively and Joseph was working from home as a licenced victualler. Alec’s sisters were named Gladys and Jessie and they were 9 and 3 years old respectively. Birthplaces were given as Scotland for Joseph and Helen, Worton in Wiltshire for Gladys and Alec and Kensington in London for Jessie. Alec attended Watford Grammar School from September 1908 to July 1910.
By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to 216 High Street in Watford. Gladys was no longer living at home, and it is possible that she had died since the record stated that Joseph and Helen had had three children, one of whom had died in childhood. Jessie was at school and Alec was working as a law clerk. Also present was a boarder, Patrick McArdle, who was a professional footballer.
Alec subsequently emigrated to Canada.
Wartime Service
Joseph Alec Wilson (Alec) enlisted on 10 April 1915 as Private McG 98 with the 2nd McGill University Company of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). He gave his place of birth as Worton in Wiltshire, England and his next of kin as his father Joseph Mordue Wilson of 92 Wippendell Road in Watford. He was unmarried and gave his profession as an accountant. At his medical examination on 10 May 1915, he gave his age as 21 years and was described as 5ft 8ins in height, had a 36¼ chest when fully expanded, of fair complexion, with blue eyes and light brown hair.
Alec was promoted to corporal on 27 June 1915. He was embarked for England on 29 June 1915 and was attached to the 11th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe camp near Cheriton in Kent, which was used as a staging post for troops destined for the western front. He was transferred from England and based in Rouen from 4 August 1915.
Alec was discharged from the 2nd McGill University Company on 5 September 1915 and returned to England on 7 September 1915 to train for a commission in Kitchener’s New Army. Consequently, on 19 February 1916, he waived his right to claim on the public for all present or future transportation to Canada. He transferred to the 15th Northumberland Fusiliers based at Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire.
He served as Temporary Second Lieutenant in the 149th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), which had been formed on 6 February 1916, and was killed in action on 14 November 1916. He was entitled to the 14/15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
Alec was originally buried at Ligny Thilloy and was later exhumed on 19 October 1933 for concentration reburial at Canadian Cemetery No 2 at Neuville St. Vaast in France. Effects found on the body included a watch marked JAW and a protractor marked Wilson. He was wearing an officer’s tunic with Northumberland Fusiliers titles and regimental buttons.
He is also commemorated on the Memorial at St James’ Parish Church, Bushey and at Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Church, Watford.
There are articles about Joseph in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 25 November 1916 and 23 December 1916.
Alec's service record with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is available on the Library and Archives Canada (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca)
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“WILSON, JOSEPH ALEC. School period: September, 1908, to July, 1910. Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps. One year, seven months. Joined McGill University Company and sent to Princess Patricia's Regiment with reinforcements; gained commission from the trenches into 15th Northumberland Fusiliers, afterwards transferred to M.G.C.; killed in action, 14th November, 1916.”
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
