249209 Sgt. William Wolstenholme MM & Bar.British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers from:Blackburn, Lancashire My grandfather, William Wolstenholme served with 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. I have his campaign medals, Victory, British War Medal and 1914/15 Star and his Military Medal and Bar with Certificates.
William was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, 22 October 1886. His parents were Robert, a Cotton Mill worker and Phoebe nee Edmundson. They produced twelve children, five died in infancy. William was the second of their surviving children. He had an older sister, two younger brothers and three younger sisters.
When he left school, aged 14, he started work in a cotton mill progressing to weaver. When he was 16years 4months (3 February 1903) he joined the 6th Battalion Manchester Militia in Darwen, saying he was a year older. He had 49 days drill on enlistment. On 6th October 1903, again in Darwen, he was attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery. Four days later he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He was aged 16years 11 months; but said he was 18 years 1 month. He served for three years with The Colours then was transferred to The Reserve (5th October 1906).
He returned to Blackburn and mill work. He married Jane Neville 7 May 1910. When war was declared they had two children and William was mobilised 5 August 1914 as a Private; ‘You are hereby required to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers at Ayr on 5th of Aug 1914’.
The Battalion first arrived on the Western Front in October 1914. William joined them there as a Corporal 26th of July 1915. Promoted Sergeant 4th of September 1915. Awarded the Military Medal for ‘Gallant and Distinguished Conduct 31st of July 1917 at Ypres’. He stormed an enemy position with 8 men, took 50 prisoners & 2 machine guns (Blackburn Newspaper report – this report also said He had been wounded earlier in the War). The War Diary 31st of July 1917 records, 6.30am. C Coy captured 2 M. Guns and 50 prisoners at Railway Embankment off Menin Road.
My Grandfather obviously had leave to the UK around Christmas, New Year 1917/18. A son, James Neville Wolstenholme was born in September 1918. He was killed by a Japanese Booby-Trap in January 1945 (Serjeant, 3858344, 2nd RECCE Reg't. R.A.C.)
William was awarded the Bar to the Military Medal for Gallant and Distinguished Conduct in Action 21st to 28th of March 1918.
He was de-mobilised 12th March 1919. My father, Bill was born in July 1920, exactly 3 years to the day his father gained his first Military Medal.
William in March 1957. After leaving the Army he and my Grandmother started a bakery business for a while. He later became a Baptist Minister. He was also a motor-bike enthusiast.
I was only four years old when my grandfather died but feel very privileged to have inherited his WW1 papers and medals etc., I now research War Memorials in my adopted County, Norfolk.
|