Eric Robert WILSON

Regimental number4887
Place of birthPort Macquarie, New South Wales
ReligionMethodist
OccupationLabourer
AddressHibbard, Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Height5' 3.75"
Weight152 lbs
Next of kinFather, George Wilson, Hibbard, Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date28 July 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 15th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A15 Star Of England on 8 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialFromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row E, Grave No 2), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
158
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parent: George Wilson of Hibbard, Port Macquarie, New South Wales.
Family/military connectionsBrothers: 3534 Pte Samuel Charles WILSON, 53rd Bn, killed in action, 19 July 1916; 3533 Pte James Arthur Ernest WILSON, 53rd Bn, returned to Australia, 25 January 1919.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength of 53rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 June 1916.

Reported as missing in action, 19 July 1916.

Identification disc received from Germany. No particulars afforded except that the soldier is deceased. Now reported as killed in action, 19 July 1916, on authority of the Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, War Office, 24 February 1917.

Advice received from Australian Red Cross, Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, 18 October 1920, 'Wilson, E. R. 4887. 53. Batl. A.T.F. Fell 19.7.16 near Fromelles[.] Final German Death List, S'.

Red Cross File No 2980701: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16'.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 9), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2010) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.
SourcesNAA: B2455, WILSON Eric Robert
Red Cross File No 2980701