Lance Corporal Frederick J. Wilson
The background of this man is not known at present, other than that he was from Winchester, Hampshire, and was a groom.
Wilson enlisted in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) on 10 August 1910 (No.4844). He embarked for France on 16 August 1914, serving there until 3 January 1915, when he was evacuated to hospital in England.
Posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, he embarked for France on 13 June 1916, probably as part of to the headquarters establishment of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment following the formation of that regiment in France from C and F Squadrons and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. The headquarters, formed in England and comprising 40 officers and men, joined the new regiment in France at the beginning of July.
The 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment served as corps cavalry to X Corps until August-September 1917, when it was disbanded and its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Wilson, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Wilson was issued regimental number 41116.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917. Evacuated to hospital in England 14 February 1918, he returned to France four months later.
After the war Wilson continued to serve with the Royal Irish Fusiliers (renumbered 7042134). He was discharged on 9 August 1922.
Much of the above information was sourced from Nick Metcalfe's Blacker's Boys.