The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday August 5th 1916 included this picture along with the caption “Private A. Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.Wilson, of 3, Sunshine Terrace, Oulton Broad, who has been missing from the 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment since the Battle of Loos. If anyone can give any information concerning his whereabouts the parents will be very grateful.”
A fuller version of the picture appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday October 6 1917, this time with the caption Pte. A.J. Wilson, Suffolk Regiment, previously reported missing, now reported killed. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilson, Oulton Broad.
From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.[1]
WILSON, ARTHUR JACOB
Rank:……………………….Private
Service No:………………..15520
Date of Death:…………….25/09/1915
Age:…………………………19
Regiment:………………….Suffolk Regiment, 9th Bn.
Panel Reference:…………Panel 37 and 38.
Memorial:………………….LOOS MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilson, of 3, Sunshine Terrace, Oulton Broad, Suffolk.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/737484/wilson,-arthur...
Soldiers Died in the Great War, a multi-volume publication by the HMSO published in the 1920’s, records that Private 15520 Arthur Wilson was Killed in Action on the 2nd October 1915 whilst serving in France & Flanders with the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. He was born Oulton, Suffolk and enlisted Lowestoft. No place of residence is shown. [2]
No match on Picture Norfolk, the County image Archive. [3]
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The birth of an Arthur Jacob Wilson, mothers’ maiden name Boon, was registered with the civil authorities in the Mutford district of Suffolk in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1897. The area covered by the Mutford civil registration district for births, marriages and deaths included Oulton and Oulton Broad. [4]
In the 1901 Census of England & Wales, taken on the 31st March that year, there is a 4 year old Arthur “R”. Wilson, born Oulton, Suffolk, who was recorded living in one of the dwellings at Woods Loke, Oulton. This was the household of his parents, Jacob, (37, Smacksman, born Blundeston, Suffolk), and Jane, (aged 36, born Oulton, Suffolk). Their other children living with them are Charles W., (12), George A., (8), John S., (6) and Harry J., (1) – all born Oulton. [5]
By the time the next Census was taken on the 2nd April 1911 the Wilson family were recorded at 3 Sunshine Terrace, Marlborough Road, Lowestoft. Father Jacob was absent, most likely at sea following his trade as a fisherman. Mother Jane, (47) states she has been married 24 years and the union has produced 9 children, of which 7 were then still alive. Still single and living at home were Charles, (22, Labourer for an Oil Frock Maker), George, (18, Fishmerchants Assistant), John, (16, Farm Labourer), Arthur, (14, Apprentice Coach Builder), Harry, (12) and Fred, (8). [6]
Brother John would emigrate to Canada c1913. With the coming of war he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was wounded in the taking of Vimy Ridge on the 9th April 1917. He was eventually repatriated to Canada and discharged as no longer physically fit for military service – see next comment below.
There are possibly surviving servivice records for a George Arthur Wilson, born Oulton, Suffolk c1892 and resident Lowestoft, dating from 1916. He was initially 4619 Suffolk Regiment. He was honourably discharged in 1917 and qualified for the Silver War Badge – but a check of those service records would be required, (subscription access to Ancestry, FindMyPast or Fold3) to confirm the details. [7]
The Service Records for Arthur Jacob Wilson, (served as Arthur Wilson), do not appear to have survived the fire caused by the bombing during the Blitz of the London Warehouse where they were stored. [7]
Looking at the details indexed on FindMyPast for individuals with nearby service numbers it seems certain Arthur enlisted in 1914. More exact dates bracketing Arthurs’ enlistment will be available by looking at those related service records and Silver War Badge records.
The Medal Index Card for Private 15520 Arthur Wilson, 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, shows him to have qualified for the 1914/15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, having first landed in France on the 31st August 1915. In the Remarks section it is simply noted that he had “Died”. [8]
The associated service medal roll for his Victory Medal and British War Medal shows the 9th Battalion as the only unit he served overseas with. [9]
The 9th Battalion had formed at Bury St. Edmunds in September 1914, and would initially be part of the 71st Brigade in the 24th Division. It is normally regarded as having landed at Boulogne on the 30th August 1915. [10]. The War Diary entry for the 30th shows them leaving camp at Blackdown early evening and landed at Boulogne “about midnight”. [11]
For the 24th Division, concentration “was completed in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September. The Division’s first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 4178 casualties for very little gain.” [12]
We have various dates of death recorded for Arthur – the Commonwealth War Graves Commission says 25th September [1], Soldiers Died in the Great War says 2nd October, [2], while his entry in the Army Register of Soldiers Effects says presumed to have died on or since the 2nd October. [13]
Most likely he died between those two dates – most likely on either the 25th or 26th.
THE SITUATION NEAR LOOS, FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 1915
Due to a shortage of seasoned troops and the great extent of line on which British troops would be operating during the Battle of Loos, Sir John French decided to retain a strong general reserve to meet any emergency arising from the battle. The 21st and 24th (New Army) Divisions, both untried units, were put into the reserve. Unfortunately, they were kept too far back. When the situation on 25 September became apparent, HQ formed a plan for both divisions to attack between Hill 70 and the village of Hulluch. The plan was not changed despite the crucial fact that the 15th Division had failed to capture Hill 70 and Hulluch was still in German hands.
The 71st Brigade, 24th Division, of which the 9th (Service) Bn, Suffolk Regt, was a part, arrived at Bethune at about 0100 hours on 25 September. The 9th Suffolks were exhausted following a succession of night marches intended to bring the brigade (and the division as a whole) closer to Loos to support the action. They were promised 48 hours to recuperate but in the event they were ordered to be ready to move forward by 0700 hours; in fact it was 11.30 hours before they set off for the battle line. The 24th Division was to act as support to the 9th (Scottish) Division, the 9th Suffolks and 11th Essex forming the first line.
At about 2000 hours the 9th Suffolks wended their way across the Loos battlefield, being held up at about midnight when they dug in with the German second (support) line behind them. At 0500 hours on 26 September they were ordered back to the German support trenches behind them. The 2lst and 24th Divisions were to attack again at 1100 hours. The 72nd Brigade was to deliver the assault on the front allotted to the 24th Division, with the 11th Essex (on the left) and the 9th Suffolks (on the right) as brigade support, 600 yards to the rear. This order was not received until 11.25 hours and as it was passed down the line the 9th Suffolks were ordered forward immediately, moving ahead under heavy artillery fire towards the previous night’s objective. The advance was maintained until about 200 yards beyond the Hulluch - Lens road where it was finally checked. At 1700 hours the right flank began to give way but for three hours the centre held, during which time the flanks advanced and retired twice. The left flank then came under intense machine-gun fire from the direction of Hulluch, forcing it back and causing the greatest losses of the day for the 9th Suffolks. The Suffolks were relieved in the early hours of 27 September. Casualties among the other ranks were 9 killed, 2 died of wounds, 81 wounded and 45 missing.
Late on the afternoon of the 26th September 1915, 9th Suffolk had reached the limit of their advance.
In positions just to the further side of the Hulluch-Vermelles road, they dug in consolidating what they could of the German rear line positions they had just captured.
In shallow scrapes and taking fire from the village of Hulluch to the north and the german machine guns behind them in 'Chalk Pit' wood. The advance had veered widely south during the afternoon sweeping through an area which was to to have been taken by 11th Battalion, The Essex Regiment, who had themselves veered further south as well.
Over some 2000 yards, they advanced, but by the time the crossed the main Hulluch road, they had become disjointed and fragmented. As the shrapnel fire descended, the advance broke up. These tired, citizen soldiers had been thrown directly into battle and without acclimatisation to the conditions they were to face, they had understandably, run out of momentum.
The advance had ground to a halt. With enemy shrapnel taking its toll, what survivors remained, took cover in shell holes and ditches. Unable to hold on and with no reinforcements immediately available, as ammunition began to be expended, a retreat was unfortunately, inevitable. [14]
In the Official Casualty List printed in the edition of The Times dated Tuesday, November 9th, 1915, 15520 Private A. Wilson of the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment appears under the heading “Missing”. [15]
As can be seen from the caption to the photograph, in August 1916 he was still regarded as “Missing” – although a check of the International Committee of the Red Cross website doesn’t turn up any enquiry made of them.
In November 1916, judging from that entry in the Army Register of Soldiers, he was presumed to have died. On the 18th Janury 1917 the balance of his pay was sent out to father Jacob. Jacob would also subsequently receive his late sons War Gratuity when this was paid out in October 1919. Judging from the amount paid out he had completed 13 months of service at the time he died, (using the 2nd October 1915 date), which is likely to take up back to the creation of the 9th Battalion. [13]
An memoriam notice appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 19th September 1917. “WILSON.- In ever loving memory of my dear brother. Private Arthur J. Wilson, of the Suffolk Regiment, previously reported missing, now officially reported killed September 25th, 1915, aged 19 years.
“One of the best that God could lend,
A devoted brother and faithful friend.
He bravely answered duty’s call,
His life he gave for one and all.”
“We think of him in silence, and his name we oft recall,
But there’s nothing left to answer but his photo on the wall.”
From his loving brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Grace. [Author’s collection].
Arthur is remembered in the War Memorial Chapel in St. Margaret’s, Lowestoft
www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/33078801025/in/album-7...
Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original image.
[1] Commonwealth War Graves commission webpage retrieved 22/04/25. www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/737484/wilson,-arthur...
[2] A transcript of the entry for Arthur in Soldiers Died in the Great War retrieved from Genes Reunited 21/05/21.
[3] Picture Norfolk checked 22/04/25.
[4] The GRO index of Births in England & Wales, Q2 1895, retrieved via Genes Reunited 21/04/25.
[5] 1901 Census of England & Wales retrieved Genes Reunited 21/04/25.
[6] 1911 Census of England & Wales retrieved Genes Reunited 21/04/25.
[7] Free to access indexing on FindMyPast, Ancestry, Fold3 and familysearch checked 25/04/25.
[8] Medal Index Card retrieved from Ancestry 04/04/21. The front face can be viewed in the National Archive catalogue here. discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5928468
[9] Combined Victory Medal and British War Medal Roll retrieved from Ancestry 04/04/21.
[10] The Long, Long Trail webpage for the Suffolk Regiment retrieved 25/04/25. www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-brit...
[11] 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment August 1915 to February 1918, (National Archive Reference WO-95-1625-1_1), retrieved from the UK National Archive 12/10/25.
[12] The Long, Long Trail webpage for the 24th Division retrieved 25/04/25.
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions...
[13] Army Register of Soldiers Effects retrieved from Ancestry 04/04/21.
[14] From The Friends of the Suffolk Regiment website, retrieved 25/04/25. www.friendsofthesuffolkregiment.org/operation-legacy/some...
[15] The Times Digital Archive retrieved 25/04/25.