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William Wilson (1892-1968)


Durham Light Infantry - Distinguished Conduct Medal & Bar


Born in 1892 in Gateshead, William Wilson was working as a miner before he enlisted in the 19th (Bantams) Battalion DLI. Promoted to Sergeant, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in February 1917 for leading his platoon under “trying circumstances” in flooded trenches and under constant heavy fire. Sergeant Wilson won the DCM for the second time on 27 July 1918 for his part in a raid on German trenches at Loker (Locre), when “he kept his party together with great skill throughout the operation and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy, of whom he killed three himself with the bayonet. Although wounded he was the last of his party to leave the enemy trenches”.
William Wilson died in 1968, aged 76 years.

Where to look for more information about this person:

His medals are in the DLI Collection. https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/dlimedals/

London Gazette, 6 July 1917:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30172/supplement/6821

London Gazette, 29 October 1918:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30983/supplement/12807

Civil Parish: Gateshead

Birth date: 1892

Death date: 1968

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Gateshead

Employment: Coal miner

Military service:

Served as 19/833 Private, later Sergeant, 19th Battalion DLI. Awarded DCM & Bar.

Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office