Note: although all records (CWGC and relatives) say that Capt Wilson
was killed on the 26 September, the War Diary states that he died on the
25 September. See below
Date: 25/9/1915 Location:
France, Verquin
Battn moved at 12.30am marched via LA BOURSE
and SAILLY, arriving at a reserve line of trenches SE of NOYELLES
at point L12 o 6.6 at about 3am. Bombardment became intense. At
about 6am the attack was launched. Battn ordered to advance
through VERMELLES up communication trench (CHAPEL ALLEY) to occupy
front line at point G11 o 9.8. Capt King wounded. 2/Lt FH Friend
assumed command of 'A' Coy. Following the advance of the 20th
Brigade the Battalion occupies the front and support German lines.
Lt Col BH Leatham DSO then gave orders for the Battn to advance in
open order in direction of CITE ST ELIE keeping to the north of
HULLUCH ROAD, our right flank connecting with the 2nd
Bedfordshires left. The Battn advanced in the following order, 'B'
Coy on the left Capt WM Geddes in command, 'A' Coy on right 2/Lt
FH Friend in command, two platoons of each company leading, two
platoons immediately behind, 'C' Coy in support, 'D' Coy in
reserve, Major RMP Gillson in command of'C' Coy, Capt EC Mudge in
command of 'D' Coy, the whole were led by Major CG Forsyth, and
experiencing extremely heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the
front came to a line held very weakly by a mixture of 8th Devon
& 2nd Borders. The trench contained 4 German field guns and
ammunition. Our losses were heavy and included the following
Officers casualties Capt GMU Wilson, 2/Lts CFB Hodgins JH
Clarke WHG Durrant killed. Major RMP Gillson, 2nd Lt FH Friend
wounded the latter seriously.
At dusk the Battn was relieved by the 9/Devonshire Regt and took
up a new front at BRESLAU AVENUE our right resting on the latter
Regiment
Date: 26/9/1915 Location:
France, trenches
In the early hours of the morning the Comdg
Offr Lt Col BH Leathen DSO received a bullet wound in the chest
and died almost immediately. During the the day the Battn remained
in the aforesaid position and there is nothing to report other
than the order to be ready to render a covering fire in support of
an attack which was to have been made on our left, but which was
afterwards cancelled. Major CG Forsyth assumed command. In the
evening the Battn were ordered to take up a new position in
reserve trenches running at right angles to and on the North of
HULLOCH ROAD immediately behind the German trenches. After being
relieved by the 1/4th Cameron Highlanders the night was spent in
improving our new position. In this position the Battn was in
support to the 1/4th Cameron Highrs.
Wiltshire
Regt Museum
3 Wilts attd to 2 Wilts
Dr MS Wilson of Chippenham received a telegram on Wednesday (29 Sept)
morning stating that his youngest son Capt Geoffrey Wilson of the Wilts
was killed in action in France. The deceased was a popular man in
Chippenham where his loss is deeply regretted. Capt Wilson was educated at
Marlborough. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on the field for his
gallantry in leading on the men when other officers had been killed.
Wilts Times 2 October 1915
26 September 1915. Killed in action in France. Capt Geoffrey Mervyn
Underhill Wilson, Wilts Regt. Youngest son of Mervyn S Wilson of
Chippenham aged 21.
Wilts Times 9 October 1915
Memorial to 3 Soldier Sons
Dedication service at Parish Church
The stained glass window, which has been placed in the Parish church by
Dr and Mrs Wilson in memory of their 3 soldier sons, who have been killed
in the war, was unveiled and formally dedicated on Sunday evening. The
holding of the dedication service coincided with the date (29th September)
on which one son was born, another baptised and another killed.
To the Glory of God and memory of the 3 sons of Mervyn Seppings and
Helena Jane Wilson.
Herbert Raymond Wilson, Capt, 114th Maharattas. Born September 29th
1888. Killed in action January 9th 1917 in Mesopotamia.
Evelyn Seppings Wilson, Capt, East Yorks Regt. Born March 5th 1893.
Killed in action September 29th 1915 at Hullock, France.
Geoffrey Mervyn Underhill Wilson, Capt, Wiltshire Regiment. Born August
5th 1894. Killed in action September 25th 1915 at Loos, France.
Wilts Times 5 October 1918
The Wilson family came to Chippenham in 1887. Mr Wilson was a county
councillor in 1904 - 1910 and church warden of St Andrew's church. Mrs
Wilson became the commandant of the Chippenham Red Cross hospital and was
appointed OBE for her war service.