Samuel Robert Wyld (1893-1963)
From West Hartlepool, served with 18th Battalion DLI (Durham Pals).
Samuel Robert Wyld was born in West Hartlepool and enlisted as a private with the 18th (Pals) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, in September 1914. He trained at Cocken Hall and in other camps around England before sailing for Egypt with the battalion in 1915. In March 1916, the battalion left Africa for the Western Front. Through 1916 and 1917, Wyld is promoted and in May 1917, he is commissioned from the ranks and sent back to the UK for training. On returning to France in 1918, he is posted to 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and later moved again to the 7th Battalion.
Wyld kept a diary (D/DLI 7/797/1) of his time in the army and notes on November 1914 buying an engagement ring. In February 1919, a month before he is discharged, he marries Rhoda Grey while on leave. In 1942, during the Second World war, Wyld joined the Home Guard on Teesside.
Sources:
Wyld’s diary and other documents are now part of the Durham Light Infantry regimental archive at Durham County Record Office http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchCatalogueDetail.aspx?SearchType=Param&SearchID=ef9f164c-46a6-4957-bfe7-8290b86cae18&ItemID=680373#ref171373
Home Guard records, The National Archives (WO 409/27/102/1055) http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/7c1203761f6446b1966319613d9b30e2
Civil Parish: West Hartlepool
Birth date: 12-Feb-1893
Death date: 26-Dec-1963
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 47 Arncliffe Gardens, West Hartlepool (1911 Census)
Religion: Methodist
Employment: Junior clerk, Maritime Insurance Company, West Hartlepool (1911 Census)
Family: Parents: Clement Herbert and Sarah Elizabeth Wyld
Sister: Alice Clementina (1911 Census)
Wife: Rhoda (nee Grey), married 4 February 1919 (D/DLI 7/797/1)
Military service:
19 Sep 1914 – enlisted as a private, 18/905, 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
1916 – promote to Lance Corporal, then Corporal
3 Jan 1917 – promote to Lance Sergeant
2 Feb 1917 – promoted Sergeant
17 May 1917 – ordered to England for commission to Second Lieutenant
16 Apr 1918 – posted to 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
4 Aug 1918 – transferred to 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
19 March 1919 – demobilised
1942-1945 – served with Durham Home Guard, Teesside
Medal(s): 15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
