221253 Pte. Thomas Wilding British Army 13th Btn. Middlesex Regiment from:Middlesex (d.5th Apr 1917) Tommy Wilding was a cousin of mine. He was born in 1897 and his father, Arthur Wilding, was also a soldier. His mother was Annie Hickman, who died following his birth. He grew up in South Mimms with his grandparents Mark and Harriot Hickman. Later he lived in Kilburn with his aunt Fanny Gerkin and Will Gerkin. I do not know if his father Arthur Wilding was also killed in action or if he lived to remarry, which might have given Tommy some half-siblings. Tommy Wilding was first cousin to my mother and the love of her life.
He joined up in September 1914 aged just 17 and was 19 when he was killed. He is buried in Fosse no.10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle, Calais. I would like to know more about him and to honour and remember him, especially as there may be no other relative to do it.
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