WILDING Benjamin

Benjamin Wilding was born in 1893 in Worcester, the son of William and Jane Wilding (nee Day) who had married in Worcester in 1881. On the 1901 census Jane is living in Mayfield Road with 7 of her children. She is recorded as married and the head of the house living on her own means. The 1911 census is the first UK census to be completed by the occupants of each house and Jane records herself as a wife who had been married 30 years and had 10 children, 8 of whom were still living. Like the previous census, her husband William does not appear to be have been at home on the night the census was taken. In the house with Jane are 4 of her children who are single and her married daughter Winifred Westaway, her son in law John Westaway and grandson John Westaway. Benjamin, aged 17 is employed as a brewers mate. Benjamin enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1915 and landed in France on 9th August 1915. He was killed in action just over 6 weeks later on 25th September 1915.

Benjamin Wilding has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Loos Memorial.