Biography

Thomas Wilson (1890-1917) was born at Kelvinside in the Partick district of Glasgow on the 25th September 1890. He was the first son of John Wilson, a coal master and Emma Binnie. ^[1]

Thomas D Wilson birth 1890

In the 1891 census, the family (minus his father) were all shown at their home Craigmount, which was number 2 Eglington Drive (since renamed Cleveden Gardens). ^[2]

He was educated at Fettes School, Edinburgh then St Salvator's College, St Andrews. ^[3] Sometime around 1898, this father had purchased Airdrie House and in the 1901 census the family are in residence there. ^[4]
After he completed his education, Thomas joined his father in the coal business which was spread over several areas of Lanarkshire, Perthshire and beyond. He is shown as a clerk in a colliery office in the 1911 census. The family are in residence at their "summer home" Kippen House, Dunning in Perthshire (which his father had purchased around 1897). ^[5] He advanced in the business becoming a coal master and also a director of the family firm, Wilsons & Clyde Coal Company.

In 1914, described as a coal master and living at Selwood Place, Kensington, he married Kathleen Elise Gray at St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington on the 4th June 1914. ^[6]

Wilson & Gray wedding 1914

Their first child, a daughter was born in Airdrie the following year and a son 2 years later (after his death).

He received a commission in 1915 and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion (Princess Louise's), Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was sent out to France in December 1916 and was killed at Roeux (although initially reported as missing on 23rd April, his death was subsequently confirmed in May). ^[7]

Thomas D Wilson death 1917

He was buried in the Crump Trench British Cemetery, Fampoux, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. ^[8] He is also memorialised on a family grave in New Monkland Cemetery. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Certificate Scotland's People. 25/09/1890 WILSON, THOMAS DOUGLAS (Statutory registers Births 646/3 1249-Partick)
2. ↑ 1891 Census: "1891 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Govan; ED: 47; Page: 19; Line: 13; Roll: CSSCT1891_308
   Ancestry Record 1108 #4620579 (accessed 30 September 2021)
   Thomas D Wilson (6 Mo) son in household of Emma Alx Wilson (27). Born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
3. ↑ Obituary: "UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919"
   Ancestry Sharing Link Ancestry Record 60454 #6114 (accessed 30 September 2021)
   Name: Thomas Douglas Wilson; Gender: Male; Rank: 2nd Lieutenant; Regiment or Ship: Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); Birth Date: 25 Sep 1890; Marriage Date: 4 Jun 1914; Marriage Place: London; Death Date: 23 Apr 1917; Death Place: Roeux; Father: John Wilson; Mother: Emma Alexandrina Binnie; Spouse: Kathleen Elise Gray; Volume: Volume 3.
4. ↑ 1901 Census: "1901 Scotland Census"
   Parish: New Monkland; ED: 5; Page: 1; Line: 3; Roll: CSSCT1901_342
   Ancestry Record 1101 #2274555 (accessed 30 September 2021)
   Thos D Wilson (10) son in household of John Wilson (56). Born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
5. ↑ 1911 Census: "1911 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Dunning; ED:5; Page: 1; Line: 23
   Household Members Age Relationship:
   John Wilson (baronet) 67 Head
   Emma Alexandrina Wilson 47 Wife
   Thomas Douglas Wilson 20 Son
   Elsie Robb 52 Servant
   Catherine Wishart 16 Servant
   John Urquhart 30 Butler
   William Crosbie 24 Chauffeur
   Mary Gibson 21 Servant.
6. ↑ Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936"
   London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P84/PET1/006
   Ancestry Sharing Link Ancestry Record 1623 #3930236 (accessed 30 September 2021)
   Thomas Douglas Wilson marriage to Kathleen Elise Gray on 4 Jun 1914 in St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington and Chelsea, England.
7. ↑ Military: "UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919"
   Ancestry Record 1543 #1039395 (accessed 30 September 2021)
   Name: Thomas Douglas Wilson; Death Date: 23 Apr 1917; Rank: 2 Lieutenant; Regiment: Princess Louise's (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders); Battalion: 7th Battalion (Territorial); Type of Casualty: Killed in action.
8. ↑ Burial: "Global, Find a Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current"
   Second Lieutenant Thomas Douglas Wilson burial (died on 22 Apr 1917) in Fampoux, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24500200/thomas-douglas-wilson
9. ↑ Burial: "UK and Ireland, Find a Grave Index, 1300s-Current"
   2nd Lt Thomas Douglas Wilson burial (died on 22 Apr 1917) in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123410737/thomas-douglas-wilson