Joseph Wilton (1890-1917)
Staffordshire born man served in the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Joseph Wilton was born in 1890 in Darlaston, Staffordshire, the son of Thomas and Martha Wilton. According to both the 1891 and 1901 census, the family lived at 14 Tilley Street in Darlaston. Thomas had several occupations during his lifetime including a foundry worker, engine driver, and crane driver. Joseph’s mother Martha died in 1900 when Joseph was 12 years old and his younger brother Frank only five. Thomas remarried the following year and had one further child with his second wife Annie Wilton.
In 1911 the Wilton family were still living in Darlaston but had moved to Pinfold Street. Joseph was working as a labourer in a saw mill. Four years later Joseph married Ruth Williams on 7 October 1915. The couple had one child together, Joseph French Wilton, born on 13 April 1916.
Having only been married for around six weeks, Joseph enlisted on 22 November 1915. A few weeks later he was posted to the 11th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He joined the battalion at Rugeley Camp in Staffordshire for training and whilst he was at the camp was promoted to acting lance corporal. Having arrived in France on 19 December 1916 Joseph was posted to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) at Etaples. He joined the battalion in the field a few days later.
Joseph’s service records list him as being missing on either 9 or 10 April 1917 and also mention him as wounded. Joseph’s official date of death was recorded as 9 April 1917.
Joseph was awarded the British War Medal and Victory medal. He is commemorated on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial. He is remembered in the DLI Book of Remembrance in Durham Cathedral and on a memorial in his home town of Darlaston.
https://blockall.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/wilton-joseph-lcpl/
Birth date: 1890
Death date: 9-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 14 Tilley Street, Darlaston (1891, 1901 Census)
Pinfold Street, St. Catherine’s Cross, Darlaston (1911 Census)
45 Temple Street, Bilston, South Staffordshire (Wife’s address at time of death)
Employment: Labourer at saw mill (1911 Census)
Family: Parents: Thomas Wilton, Martha Jane Wilton nee Davies
Step Mother: Annie Wilton
Siblings: Ann Elizabeth Wilton, John Wilton, Samuel Wilton, Martha Wilton, Frank Wilton
Step Sibling: Nellie Wilton
Wife: Ruth Wilton nee Williams
Child: Joseph French Wilton
Military service:
South Staffordshire Regiment
Service Number 20530
15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Lance Corporal
Service Number 53502
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 DLI, Durham Cathedral
War Memorial 1914-18 1939-45, Darlaston
Gender: Male
Contributed by swejk, darlington |