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Private James Wilson

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is uncertain, other than that he came from Cavancarragh, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, and was born about 1889.

Wilson enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 13 March 1912 (No.696). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.

At some time during 1915 or 1916 Wilson fell ill. He was evacuated to the UK, where he was diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis, which he had contracted whilst serving in the regiment.

On 3 September 1917 Wilson was discharged, being no longer physically fit for war service (paragraph 392 xvi, King's Regulations). He was granted a pension, his level of disability being assessed at 100 per cent.

 

Wilson's British War Medal, recently sold at an online auction