Charles Edward Wilson

Charles Edward Wilson
Born 2 June 1871
Fermoy, Ireland
Died 17 September 1914 (aged 43)
Aisne, France
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1892–1914
Rank Captain
Unit Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment
Battles/wars

Second Boer War

First World War
Awards Légion d’Honneur

Charles Edward Wilson (2 June 1871 – 17 September 1914) was an England rugby international and British Army officer who was killed during the First World War.

Born at Fermoy, County Cork, Wilson was the son of Major General F. E. G. Wilson. He was educated at Dover College and joined the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in July 1892. He graduated in July 1896 and was commissioned as a lieutenant.[1]

Wilson served in the Second Boer War with the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment receiving the Queen's Medal with two clasps, King's Medal with two clasps and a Mention in Despatches. He fought in the relief of Ladysmith, Battle of Spion Kop and Battle of the Tugela Heights. In August 1901, he was promoted to the rank of captain.[1] He also served in India.

During the First World War, Wilson served as the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. He served on the Western Front and was awarded the Légion d’Honneur. He was killed in action on 17 September 1914 during the Battle of the Aisne, on the River Aisne. He is buried in Paissy Churchyard, Aisne, France [Grave 2],[2] and was survived by his wife Mabel (née Carr) and their two sons.[1]

Rugby career

Wilson played rugby at a high standard as a forward. He represented the Army[3] and top class side Blackheath F.C., and was an active member of the club in 1895, the year he was offered and accepted an invitation to tour with the Barbarians.[4] In 1898, and still playing for Blackheath, Wilson represented England in a rugby union international, playing as a forward against Ireland in a match played at Richmond as part of the 1898 Home Nations Championship.[5] The England team, under the captaincy of J. F. Byrne, was fairly inexperienced with Wilson being one of six new caps into the team, four within the pack. The Irish controlled the game from the start and won 9-6. Wilson never represented his country again.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lewis Augustus Clutterbuck, William Toke Dooner, The bond of sacrifice 1, p. 447–448
  2. ↑ "CWGC Casualty Details: Wilson, Charles Edward". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Griffiths, John (1982). Book of English International Rugby 1872-1982. London: Willow Books. p. 487. ISBN 978-0-00-218006-1.
  4. ↑ Starmer-Smith, Nigel (1977). The Barbarians. Macdonald & Jane's Publishers. p. 233. ISBN 0-86007-552-4.
  5. ↑ "Charles Wilson". ESPNScum. Retrieved 13 February 2011.