Muchty Remembers

Born: 1 April 1897, Upper Greens, Auchtermuchty.

Son of William Wilson, Auchtermuchty, and Helen Ferrier, Freuchie Feus, Fife.

Army Number: S/9159

Rank: Private

Regiment: 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch).

Died: Died of wounds, Mesopotamia, 24 April 1916. Age 19.

Buried: Buried at Amara War cemetery, Iraq. Plot XVI, Row G, Grave 3.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Church Roll. Photograph.

 

Thomas Ferrier Wilson, born 1 April 1897, at Upper Greens, Auchtermuchty, was the son of William Wilson, born 1870, Dairsie, yarn bleacher, and Helen Ferrier, born 1859, Freuchie Feus. They were married on 18 April 1891 at Osnaburgh [Dairsie], Fife. They moved to Auchtermuchty by 1892 where their children, Joan, Robert, and Thomas, were born.

In 1901 William Wilson and Helen Ferrier Wilson were living in Simpson Terrace, Auchtermuchty, with their children, Joan, 9, Robert, 7, and Thomas 3, and Helen Ferrier Wilson's niece Catherine Ferrier, 5, all born in Auchtermuchty.

In 1911 Thomas Wilson, 40, and Helen Wilson, 50, were living at Simpson Terrace, the first house on Newburgh Road, at the junction with Madras Road. The house had two rooms. Two house further on was six roomed White House. William Wilson was a yarn bleacher, at Bleachfield, and had been married 20 years to wife Helen. Also in the house were Robert, 19, beam and scale maker's apprentice, with John White & Son; Tom, 14, at school, and Kate Ferrier, 15, Helen's niece, a factory worker in the linen factory.

 

Thomas Wilson's father, William Wilson, born 1870, was the son of Agnes Wilson, born 1853, Cupar, Fife. Agnes Wilson was later to marry Andrew Dryburgh.

Thomas Wilson's mother, Helen Ferrier, born 12 September 1859, was the daughter of Johanna Gray Philp, born 1836, Markinch, Fife. Johanna Philp later married Thomas Ferrier, 13 December 1863, and Helen took the name Ferrier. In 1871 Helen Ferrier, 10, was living at Failabout Cottage, Cupar, Fife, with her mother and step father. In 1881 Helen Ferrier, 20, was living at North Lambieletham, Cameron, with her mother, step father and four half siblings. In 1891 Helen Ferrier, 30, was living at Newington House, Kilmany, with her mother, step father and half sister Kate or Catherine, 18. In April 1891 Helen Ferrier married William Wilson, farm servant, Parkhill, Abdie.

In 1895 Helen Ferrier Wilson's niece, Catherine Ferrier had a daughter, Kate or Catherine, born 25 September 1895, Upper Greens, Auchtermuchty. The child, Catherine, lived with her aunt Helen Ferrier Wilson. The mother, Catherine, later married Robert Brown Thomson, 1899-1980.

Helen Ferrier's mother, Johanna Grey Philp, born 1836 Markinch, died 1908 Pitgorno, Strathmiglo, was the daughter of James Philp. One of her aunts, Margaret, born 1832, Freuchie, married James Ford, born 1829, Auchtermuchty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Wilson probably volunteered on 29th May 1915, with seven other Auchtermuchty men. His Army number was one more than Peter Gray. Four of the other men were to die in 1916.

Thomas Wilson was sent to the regular 2nd Battalion The Black Watch in France.

2nd Battalion The Black Watch was stationed at Bareilly, India on 4 Aug 1914. The Battalion was mobilised on 21 September 1914 and shipped back to France, arriving at Marseilles on 12 October 1914. The 2nd Battalion served on the Western front, fighting at the Battles of La Bassee, Messine, Armentieres and Givenchy. Already serving with 2nd Battalion was James H Smith of Dunshelt, who, as a regular soldier, had been serving with the Battalion in India when it was recalled to Europe.

On 5 December 1915 2nd Battalion, with Private Thomas Wilson, embarked from Marseilles and arrived at Basra on 31 December to join the 21st Indian Brigade of the 7th Indian Division. The Battalion fought several battles against the Turks. Due to heavy losses the Battalion was absorbed into 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders on 4 February 1916.

Thomas Wilson died of wounds on 24 April 1916, aged 19 years and 23 days. He was buried at Amara Cemetery, Iraq.

James Murray, Highland Light Infantry, had died of wounds six days earlier, and was also buried at Amara War Cemetery.