Ref ID: 2189
Name
Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Rifleman W Wigston. Remembered with Honour - Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery.
Description
Certificate in memory of Rifleman W Wigston, Remembered with Honour at Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery. 'In memory of Rifleman W Wigston, 9209, 2nd Bn., Royal Irish Rifles who died on 10 November 1914, Age 29. Husband of Sarah Jane Wigston, of 33, Bradford St., Belfast'. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Life Story
Name: William Wigston.
Service Number: 9209.
Rank: Rifleman.
Battalion:2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 17th August 1895, Belfast.
Died: 10th November 1914
Address: 33 Bradford Street, Shankill Road, Belfast
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William Wigston, son of Francis and Ann Jane Wigston, lived with his wife Sarah Jane and son Francis at 33 Bradford Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.
The 1901 Ireland Census has William living at 143 Bellevue Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, occupation, House Wife, father, General Labourer, three sisters, Elisia, 14 years, Mary, 12 years, Annie, 7 years, and three brothers, Francis, 17 years, Mill Worker, John, 9 years, James, under 1 year. Williams occupation is given as Mill Worker.
William married Sarah Jane Wigston, Nee Gould, on the 13th of April 1907.
The 1911 Ireland Census has William living at 17.1 Urney Street, Shankill Road, Belfast, with his wife and son Francis. The census though shows they had sadly lost 3 children at this time. His occupation is given as Labourer In Shipyard.
William was a member of the Sons Of Ulster L.O.L 759 Lodge.
He had also signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day.
William joined the Royal Irish Rifles.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 7th of October 1914.
William Wigston was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, while in No4 Clearing Hospital, Poperinghe, he Died Of Wounds received in action at Gheluvelt, Belgium, on 10th November 1914 aged 29.
A local newspaper states.
Rifleman William Wigston, 2nd R.I.R, of 37 Urney Street, Belfast, killed in action at Gheluvelt, was a member of L.O.L. Sons of Ulster, No 759, and leaves a wife and one child.
Military documents show that Williams father had enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles on the 16th December 1914, however he was then discharged due to ill health and old age on the 5th March 1915.
See his brother also: 11435 Rifleman Francis Wigston.
His Soldiers Effects were left to his wife Sarah Jane.
Williams Will, signed and date 12th October 1914 left his Property and Effects to his widow Sarah Jane.
A Pension Application Form also shows his widow Sarah Jane, born 1885, as claimant.
He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.
He is Remembered at Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
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Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
N/a
Classification
Certificate/Permit
