Main CPGW Record
Surname: WILSON
Forename(s): Joseph Edward
Place of Birth: Blackburn, Lancashire
Service No: 36489
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Yorkshire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 11th (Service) Battalion. (2nd Hull)
Division: 31st Division
Age: 40
Date of Death: 1921-03-12
Awards: D.C.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: ---
CWGC Cemetery: SAMLESBURY (ST. LEONARD THE LESS) CHURCHYARD
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Joseph Edward Wilson was the son of John and Elizabeth Wilson, née Wilcock (also known as Ditchfield). John was born at Samlesbury and Elizabeth at Cuerden, Lancashire.
1881 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 39, Infirmary Street - Joseph E. Wilson, aged 1 month, born Blackburn, son of John and Elizabeth Wilson.
1891 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 183, Mosley Street - Joseph E. Wilson, aged 10 years, born Blackburn, son of John and Elizabeth Wilson.
1901 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: 32, Queen Victoria Street - Joseph E. Wilson, aged 20, born Blackburn, son of John and Elizabeth Wilson.
Joseph was married to Elizabeth Ann Shorrock in 1907.
1911 Blackburn, Lancashire Census: Ivy Dene, 39, Lynthorpe Road - Joseph Edward Wilson, aged 30 years, born Blackburn, husband of Elizabeth Ann Wilson.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Joseph E. Wilson, 36489, E. York. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Joseph E. Wilson (D.C.M.), 36489, 11th E. York. R. Trans: Class 'Z' A. R.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Joseph.
Joseph is commemorated in the digital 'Blackburn Roll of Honour 1914-1921' (www.cottontown.org). He was a church bell ringer and is commemorated on the Roll of Honour of The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
The informal title of the 11th (Service) Bn East Yorkshire Regiment (2nd Hull) was the Hull Tradesmen.
Data Source: Craven Herald Article
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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L/Corporal Joseph Edward WILSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Yorkshire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
St Leonard the Less Churchyard, Samlesbury
CWGC Headstone
St Leonard the Less Churchyard, Samlesbury
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 December 1917
BARNOLDSWICK D.C.M. WINNER
The accompanying portrait is that of Joseph Edward Wilson, East Yorkshire Regiment, who has just been awarded the D.C.M. for his participation in a raid on a German first line trench on November 8th. Wilson is a married man and a native of Blackburn, but lived in Barnoldswick prior to joining the Army in May, 1916. He has spent 12 months on the Western Front, and was shot through the arm during the raid, having since been in hospital at Sutton Veny (Wilts.) but is expected home this week-end, when the news of his decoration will no doubt prove a pleasant surprise, Mrs. Wilson (who lives at 38, Lower East Avenue) having already received the ribbon accompanied by the congratulations of his Commanding Officer (Lieut.-Col. H. Ferrand).
The incident which earned Lce.-Corpl. Wilson distinction is best told in his own words, in a letter to his wife written from hospital:–“We had to leave everything in our packs while we went over. We were making a raid–the biggest of its kind ever attempted during this war. We lost 51 killed and wounded, and took about 60 prisoners and killed 150, besides capturing 2 machine guns, blowing up 10 dug-outs, and 16 trench mortars. So that was not so bad in 15 minutes. It was a lovely fight, though I was only in it about ten minutes.” The raid took place on a Thursday and Lance-Corporal Wilson arrived at Southampton the following Sunday morning. He has been offered a commission.
12 April 1918
BARNOLDSWICK – Presentation to a D.C.M. Winner
At the Wesleyan Sunday School on Monday evening a present of a wristlet watch and a Bible was made to Lce.-Corporal Joseph Wilson (East Yorks Regiment), in recognition of his having been awarded the D.C.M. in France last November. Lce.-Corporal Wilson, who is a native of Blackburn, was wounded at the time of his exploit, and since his recovery has been stationed at Ripon Camp. The gifts were handed to him by the Rev. A. Bradfield and Mr. E. Watkinson (superintendent).
25 March 1921
BARNOLDSWICK – Former Soldier’s Death
His numerous friends in Barnoldswick will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr. Joseph Edward Wilson, which took place recently at Blackburn at the age of 40 years. Deceased, who formerly resided at 38 Lower East Avenue, Barnoldswick, served with distinction in the late war as Lance-Corporal in the East Yorks Regt. He was awarded the D.C.M. “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion” while leading his section during a daylight raid in France, afterwards withdrawing all his men safely although wounded himself during the exploit. His conduct on this occasion was still further recognised when he was subsequently presented with a wristlet watch and Bible by members of the Barnoldswick Wesleyan Sunday School with which he had been connected. On his demobilisation, he returned to his native town of Blackburn. Latterly his health had left much to be desired. Mr. Wilson was an enthusiastic amateur photographer and bellringer. He leaves a wife but no family. The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) week at Samlesbury, near Blackburn.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
07 December 1917
BARNOLDSWICK D.C.M. WINNER
The accompanying portrait is that of Lance-Corporal Joseph Edward Wilson, East Yorkshire Regiment, who has just been awarded the D.C.M. for his participation in a raid on a German first line trench on November 8th. Wilson is a married man and a native of Blackburn, but lived in Barnoldswick prior to joining the army in May, 1916. He has spent 12 months on the Western Front, and was shot through the arm during the raid, having since been in hospital at Sutton Veny (Wilts.), but is expected home this weekend, when the news of his decoration will no doubt prove to him a pleasant surprise, Mrs. Wilson (who lives at 38, Lower East Avenue), having already received the ribbon accompanied by the congratulations of his commanding officer (Lieut.-Col. H. Ferrand). The incident which earned Lance-Corporal Wilson distinction is best told in his own words, in a letter to his wife written from hospital:– “We had to leave everything in our packs while we went over. We were making a raid – the biggest of its kind ever attempted during this war. We lost 51 killed and wounded and we took about 60 prisoners and killed 150, besides capturing two machine guns, blowing up 10 dug-outs, and 16 trench mortars. So that was not so bad in 15 minutes. It was a lovely fight, though I was only in it about ten minutes.” The raid took place on a Thursday – Lance-Corporal Wilson arrived at Southampton the following Sunday morning. He has been offered a commission.
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