Suffolk Regiment, 7th Battalion
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 27th March 1918
Aged 26
Arthur was born in Badwell Ash (Stow Q2-1891 4A:822) son of Harry and Martha WILDING (nee SMITH)
1901 census...Aged 9, he was living in The Street, Badwell Ash, with his father Harry WILDING [37]a farm yardman-cattle, born Hawstead, Suffolk ; his mother Martha [34] and brothers Harry [14], Walter [11] (farm servants)and Sidney W [7]. The whole family, except his father,were born in Badwell Ash.
1911 census...Aged 20, transcribed as Frederick WILDINGS, he was at White Horse Yard, Badwell Ash with his parent and brothers Walter and Sidney, all farm labourers.
His brother Walter was killed on 12th October 1917 in Belgium (see below).
He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
On the 26th March 1918 the 7th Suffolks were defending the Albert bridgehead, back to positions they had constructed 2 years previously. The force of the German onslaught (The Kaiserschlact) meant they had their backs to the wall, with very little equipment, no artillery support, no bombs, rifle grenade, trench mortars or even sufficient shovels. They were along the railway line, the left company resting on the Albert railway station, the right about 300 yards south of the Albert-Amiens road. Several attacks were beaten off but at 10.20pm the Germans attacked in strength. Attack and counter attack ensued, but the Suffok had to pull back 300 yards, but managed at last to stabilise this position. One platoon was reduced to 3 men. Short of food and water they were relieved just before dawn on the 28th.
In the three days 26-28th, they had suffered 256 casualties. Of these 73 were killed on the 27th, with only 10 of them having identified graves.
Arthur Wilding is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France, panel 25
Cick here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
Northumberland Fusiliers, 25th Battalion (2nd Tyneside Irish)
Formerly 25082, West Yorks Regiment
Killed in Action on Friday, 12th October 1917
Aged 27
Walter was born in Badwell Ash (Stow Q1-1890 4A:777) son of Harry and Martha WILDING (nee SMITH).
1901 census...Aged 1, Walter was at Badwell Street with his father Harry WILDING [27] Agricultural labourer,born Hawstead; his mother Marth [25]; and brother Harry [5] and Albert George [3]. Mother and brothers were all born in Badwell Ash.
1901 census...Aged 11, he was living in The Street, Badwell Ash, with his parents and brothers Harry [14], Arthur [9] (farm servants)and Sidney W [7]. Brother Albert George was at Rainsford Road, Chemsford at the Essex Industrial School.
1911 census...Aged 22, transcribed as Walter WILDINGS, he was at White Horse Yard, Badwell Ash with his parent and brothers Frederick(Arthur) and Sidney, all farm labourers. Brother Albert was now in the Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion at Mustafa Pasha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt. It appears that Harry has changed his name to Harry Wilding SMITH and is married to Annie, has a daughter Beatrice and they are living at Stowlangtoft Rad, Hunston
His parents address later was at Hunston
His brother Frederick was killed on 27th November 1918 in France (see above).
He enlisted in Leeds.
Although there was a badge for the Tyneside Irish (see left), it was not officially worn as a cap badge, but was often worn as a shoulder badge.
The official badge was always the Regimental badge of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
In October the 2nd Tyneside Irish took part in the Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 12th October, the 2nd Tyneside Irish had 22 killed, only 8 have identified graves. the rest are on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Walter Wilding is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium panel 19-23 and 162
Click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
