Hartley WILSON

08 June 1917

BARNOLDSWICK

SHOES MADE FROM ROPE

Gunner Hartley Wilson who last reek end paid a flying visit to his home in Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick, is in charge of a gun on board one of His Majesty’s mail steamers. During his short experience of sea-faring he has visited many different parts of the British Empire and had a few adventures among German submarines, one of which followed in the wake of the ship for some time on their last homeward trip.

Gunner Wilson brought home with him an interesting curio in the shape of several pairs of shoes made from bits of rope, which he had made himself during his leisure. Sailors are proverbially ‘handy men,’ and the neatness and shapeliness of the articles suggest possibilities in view of the present price of leather.

24 August 1917

WILSON – Died at Lagos, West Africa, Aug. 8th, Gunner Hartley Wilson, R.N., son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Wilson, of 20, Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick, aged 25.

24 August 1917

BARNOLDSWICK SAILOR’S DEATH IN WEST AFRICA

A cablegram received on Saturday night announced the death at Lagos, West Africa, of Gunner Hartley Wilson, R.N., who succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever on the 8th August. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Wilson, 20, Gisburn Street, and previous to joining the navy in March, 1916, was associated with his brothers in the manufacturing business at Long Ing Shed. Gunner Wilson was 25 years of age and unmarried. After passing through the gunnery school at Devonport he spent a short period of training in the North Sea, being subsequently transferred to the Government Merchant Service in the capacity of gunner, making frequent voyages to distant parts of the world. About two months ago he paid a flying visit to his home while his vessel was in port at Liverpool.

09 August 1918

WILSON – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Gunner Hartley Wilson, who died at Lagos, West Africa, Aug. 8th, 1917.

We pictured his safe returning,
We longed to clasp his hand;
But God has postponed the meeting
Till we meet in the Better Land.

In the bloom of his youth God claimed him,
In the pride of his manhood days;
None knew him but to love him,
None mentioned his name but with praise.

Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Hidden tears oft times do flow;
But memory keeps our loved one near us,
Although he died one year ago.

– From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister. 20, Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick.

WILSON – In ever loving memory of Gunner Hartley Wilson, Royal Navy, who died from fever at Lagos, West Africa, Aug. 8th, 1917, aged 25 years. Gone, but not forgotten.

There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance live for ever.

– Deeply loved and deeply mourned by Edith, Monks House, Barnoldswick.

[Edith Hacking (born 1892) was the daughter of Mark and Hannah Hacking, née Bracewell.]