Lance Corporal David Wilson
David Wilson was born on 26 January 1896 at Lettan, Tempo, County Fermanagh, the twelfth of thirteen children of farmer John Wilson and his wife Margaret (née Johnston). His mother died when he was just seven years old. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Lettan with his father and four siblings and working on the family farm.
Wilson enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Lisnaskea on 29 October 1912 (No.746 – later Corps of Hussars No.71090), overstating his age by two years. He embarked for France with C Squadron on 20 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne. C Squadron then served as corps headquarters cavalry until April 1915, when it was attached as divisional cavalry to the 3rd Division.
In mid-1916 it joined with F Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, attached as corps cavalry to X Corps.
Wilson was attached to the headquarters of X Corps for permanent duty on 13 May 1916. He remained in that role until 28 June 1918, when he was transferred to the Military Mounted Police (No. P/15821) with the rank of lance corporal.
He served with the military police, posted to IX Corps, for the remainder of the war. He briefly served in Germany with the army of occupation, before returning home on 11 April 1919.
On 10 May 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
His name is included on the Tempo Church of Ireland Roll of Honour.
Image of the Tempo Honour Roll kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster.
This page last updated 30 March 2024.