Yarm 1914

He lived in 13 High Street Yarm with his father Francis and mother Isobel. He had three brothers, Stephen, Charlie and Tom. Little is known about Charlie and Tom but Stephen survived the war and his story gives an insight into life in Yarm during and after the war.
Ambrose wartime story, like many other young recruits, is summed up in the three photographs below depicting the shattered hope and optimism of 1914. Left is taken with Ambrose in his uniform. The middle photograph shows the expectation of the time. A souvenir implies that it would be like going on holiday. The Great European war implies that it would be restricted to Europe only. To record a single year 1914 emphasised the expectation that it would be all over by Christmas. Leo Legge and Co were photographers with an office at 12 Granger Street in Newcastle Upon Tyne, West Hartlepool, Darlington and Bishop Auckland. They produced many post cards of soldiers going off to war in 1914 using the same background for all but never added the name.
The third photograph shows the original grave of Ambrose before moving it to Kemmel Chateau Cemetery and providing a war gravestone.

The 1/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment had taken over the trenches at Kemmel from 31st Canadian Battalion on 31st March 1916. They were constantly being bombarded with German mortar fire. On 17th April 1916, Ambrose was killed in action.
For WW1 information about Ambrose's brother Stephen Wilson, left click on one of the photograph below.

The photograph above was printed by Thirlwell and Co. photographers Stockton, Middlesbrough, West Hartlepool, Newcastle, Darlington & Bishop Auckland. Their closest shop in Stockton was 21 Bridge Road which was photographed in the 1920's and shown in the Stockton Archive.

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Yarm 1914 Research ________________

The Yarm 1914 Commemoration Group is carrying out research on the soldiers listed. We are finding where they lived in Yarm and will represent the findings in a wall of poppies presentation. More details will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and this web site. If you have any information please contact us. Left click on the picture below.