9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
25
Summary
Robert John Wilson was the only son of George Wilson and Mary Ann Reid. Robert was born in Glasgow, Scotland about 1891. Robert attended Drumglass Boys National School. The family lived at 18 Clare Terrace, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Robert worked as a labourer. Private Robert Wilson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916. He was 25 years old.
Further Information
Robert John Wilson was the only son of George Wilson and Mary Ann Reid. It seems they were married about 1891. Robert was born in Glasgow, Scotland about 1891.
The 1901 census records Robert as 10 years old. The family are living in Mullaghadun, Bernagh, Tyrone. George Wilson was an 82 year old farmer.
Family: George Wilson, Mary Ann Reid, Mary Ann Wilson (born about 1887), Elizabeth Wilson (born about 1889), Robert John Wilson (born about 1891).
Robert attended Drumglass Boys National School.
There was a George Wilson who died in Dungannon on 22nd September 1902, aged 82. This may have been Robert’s father.
By the time of the time of the 1911 census, Robert was 20 years old. His father had died. His mother is now stated as Mary Ann Reid. The family now lived at 18 Clare Terrace, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Robert worked as a labourer.
Robert Wilson was a member of Holdfast L.O.L. No. 1620, Dungannon
Robert Wilson enlisted in Omagh.
1915
Private Robert Wilson arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
1916
Private Robert Wilson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916. He was 25 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13th July 1916:
Private Robert Wilson, Inniskillings, reported killed, was a son of Mrs Wilson, Clare Terrace, Dungannon, and volunteered shortly after the outbreak of war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: Private Robert Wilson
Private Robert Wilson, Tyrone Volunteers, reported killed, is a son of Mrs Wilson, Clare Terrace, Dungannon. He was a member of Holdfast L.O.L. 1620, Dungannon.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st August 1916:
Private R Wilson, Tyrone Volunteers, killed, Clare Terrace, Dungannon.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 3 August 1916:
Some doubt still exists as to the fate of Robert Wilson (Dungannon) Tyrone Volunteers. His name appeared in Monday's casualty list as having been wounded, but by mid-day post his mother, Mrs Wilson, Clare Terrace, received a letter from Colonel Ricardo stating that her son had been killed on 21st July, while Tuesday's post brought a letter from the Infantry Records Office, Dublin, reporting Wilson as in hospital wounded.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th August 1916: Private Wilson
The name of Private Robert Wilson, Tyrone Volunteers, appeared in Monday's casualty list as having been wounded, but by midday post his mother, Mrs Wilson, Clare Terrace, Dungannon, received a letter from the deceased's commanding officer stating that her son had been killed on 1st July, and expressing the sympathy of the officers and men of the battalion on the loss of her son. The death of this soldier has already been reported in our columns, intimation of the distressing event having been forwarded from the front by his cousin.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916:
A pathetic incident has just taken place in connection with the permission just given to National Schools to use the Union Jack to teach patriotism. Mrs Wilson, of Beech Valley, Dungannon, whose son, Private Wilson, aged 19, was a member of the Tyrone Volunteers, had purchased two large Union Jacks to decorate her dwelling house in honour of the home-coming of her son from the Front. He took part in the great advance on 1st July, but was one of those who sacrificed their lives for King and country. Mrs Wilson has now presented the flags to Mr Thornberry, Principal of Drumglass Boys School, where the boy was educated, to hang on the walls as an incentive to the pupils and in memory of her brave son.
Memorials
Private Robert Wilson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
Private Robert Wilson is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
Private Robert Wilson is also commemorated locally on the Holdfast L.O.L. 1620 Dungannon Roll of Honour.
The CWGC records Private Robert John Wilson as the son of George and Mary Ann Wilson of 18 Clare Terrace, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
