Sergeant Frederick James Wilson Corps of Military Police
Early Life.
Frederick James Wilson was born on the 14th August 1912 at Caterham, Surrey. He was baptised at St. Barnabas, Pimlico, Westminster, London on the 23rd October 1912. At this time, they were living at 94 Gatliff Buildings, Commercial Road, London.
His father was James Frederick Francis Wilson born in 1889 in Clowne, Derbyshire. His mother was Maud Ethel Baldwin born on the 9th October 1886 in Ilmington, Warwickshire. James married Maud on the 3rd February 1912 in the Parish Church in Clowne, Derbyshire. James was a bachelor who was Sergeant 1557 in the Military Provost Staff Regiment of the Military Foot Police. Maud was a spinster. They both gave the same address of 84 Neal Street, Clowne. James had previously served in the Coldstream Guards.
They had seven children:
1. Frederick James Wilson.
2. Doris Maud Wilson born on the 23rd January 1917 at Alverstoke, Hampshire.
3. Harold Francis Wilson born on the 2nd March1919 (twin) at Alverstoke, Hampshire.
4. Ethel May Wilson born on the 2nd March 1919 (twin) at Alverstoke, Hampshire.
5. Violet Olive Wilson born on the 7th August 1922 at Alverstoke, Hampshire.
6. Cyril Arthur Wilson born on the 19th November 1926 at Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
7. Donald Roy Wilson born on the 4th February 1928 at Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
Frederick attended Grove Road Council School, Gosport, Hooe Village School near Plymouth and the Ashby-de-la-Launde Village School in Lincolnshire. He later received a 2nd Class Army Education Certificate.
He had been employed as a Gardener and a Grocer, but he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards.
Military Service.
Guardsman Frederick James Wilson Coldstream Guards
Frederick’s original Army Form B.271 Attestation papers have survived and show the following: He enlisted at Bedford on the 15th February 1932 for 3 years in the Colours and 9 with the Reserve with the Coldstream Guards as Guardsman 2655400. He gave his full name as Frederick James Wilson born in Caterham, Surrey. He was a British Subject as were both of his parents and his trade was a Grocer. He was 19 years old having been born on the 14th August 1912. He stated he was not married and had no children, he was neither currently or previously in the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force. He had been truthful with regards to his previous service. He was not an indentured apprentice and had no criminal convictions. He had not been previously rejected from joining the Military and was willing to be vaccinated. He was willing to enlist in the Coldstream Guards.
His description on enlistment was recorded as follows: Apparent Age: 19 years 7 months, Height: 5 ft, 10 ¾ ins., Weight: 174 lbs., Chest when fully expanded: 38 ½ ins., Range of expansion: 3 ins., Complexion: Fresh, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Light brown, Religious Denomination: Church of England, Distinctive marks: Appendix and Hernia operation scars (right). [the surgery for these operations may have taken place during the War whilst he was in Cyprus Ed.].
He gave his next of kin as his father Mr. J.F. Wilson, 43 Clapgate Road, Bushy, Herts.
On the day of his enlistment he was Inspected by a Lieutenant Johnson at Bedford who considered him fit for service in the Coldstream Guards and stated that his Attestation had been completed correctly. He was also Medically examined by a Lieutenant Colonel of the R.A.M.C. [name illegible Ed.] who also found him fit for the Army.
On the 15th February 1932 he was Posted to the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards and on the 22nd February, he joined the Depot and commenced a period of Home Service.
On the 4th May 1932 he passed his 3rd Class Certification of Education in all subjects.
From his Army Form B200B, Statement of Service the initial identification information is as his Attestation papers.
On the 19th July 1932 he joined the 3rd Battalion.
On the 25th August 1932 he passed his swimming qualification at Pirbright.
On the 1st December 1932 he was posted to the 1st Battalion and commenced a period of service in Egypt.
Then on the 6th July 1933 he passed his 2nd Class Certificate of Education in all subjects.
On the 10th December 1933 after 1 year 9 days service in Egypt, he commenced another period of service at Home.
On the 1st October 1934 he was permitted to extend his service to complete 4 years with the colours and 8 years in the Army reserve.
At 1.20 p.m. on the 25th December 1935, it was recorded that he was in Civil Custody. [there is no further comment recorded about this Ed.].
From his Service and Casualty Form, Army Form B.103 – Part 1 the following is recorded: Again, initially the information of identification is the same as his Attestation papers. It shows that on the 14th February 1936 he was transferred to the Army Reserve as a Guardsman. His Character was shown as Exemplary and his Testimonial as a Good hardworking man.
His Hertfordshire County Police Personal Record differs slightly in that it shows that he enlisted on the 14th February 1932 not the 15th February, but it matches that he served for 4 years until 14th February 1936. On leaving the Army he was employed as a Cinema Commissionaire until he applied to join the Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Police Service.
His application forms to join the Police have not survived but in his Police Personal Record it is recorded that Frederick James Wilson started his Probationer Training at Police Headquarters at Hatfield on the 21st September 1936 earning £2/2/0 per week and was Appointed as Constable 90 on the 1st February 1937. On being Appointed he was Posted to D Division at Hemel Hempstead earning £3/2/0 per week. In February 1937 he passed his St. Johns Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
Further information recorded on his Personal Record is shown below. His Height: 5ft 11 ins., Eyes: Brown, Hair: Light Brown, Complexion: Fresh, Distinctive Marks: Scars on stomach.
PC 90 Frederick James Wilson Personal Record
In the 1939 Register it shows that Frederick J. Wilson was PC 90 D of Herts. Constabulary was living at 30 Cemmaes Court Road, Hemel Hempstead.
Following the outbreak of WW2 as a Reservist Frederick was recalled to the Colours on the 1st December 1939, although his Police Record shows that he did not re-join H.M. Forces until the 4th December. In fact, he did not re-join the Coldstream Guards as their Enlistment Register records in the column headed Particulars of Transfer it is stamped 3rd January 1940 Compulsorily Transferred to Corps. Of Military Police.
Military Service in WW2.
His Service and Casualty Form shows numerous movements and promotions beginning with a transfer to 1/40 [it is not clear what unit this was Ed.] at Aldershot as a Private in the Corps of Military Police on the 3rd January 1940.
Then on 19th January 1940 he was appointed as an unpaid Lance Corporal 3/40 [again meaning unknown Ed.] at Aldershot.
Service Abroad.
On the 14th February 1940 he embarked aboard a ship in the UK and disembarked in Egypt on the 22nd February 1940. He was taken on strength with effect from the 24th February 1940.
With effect from the 3rd March 1940, he was granted War Pay. On the 1st March 1941 he was granted paid Lance Corporal.
On the 6th September 1941 he was posted to 201 Company.
The following entries all show that he was serving in the Middle East and not just Egypt.
On the 1st November 1941 he was appointed as an unpaid acting Corporal, but he was then immediately granted pay for his acting rank.
On the 17th November 1941 he was Posted to Cyprus and on the 23rd November, he disembarked in Cyprus.
With effect from the 30th January 1942, he was granted the War Service rank of Corporal.
On the 1st June 1942 he was appointed war time acting Sergeant
On the 2nd June 1942 he was attached to the Headquarters of 25th Corps.
With effect from the 22nd June 1942, he was appointed as a paid acting Sergeant.
Between the 19th and the 30th August 1942, he was granted R.A. [meaning unknown Ed.].
0n the 28th November 1942 he was confirmed as a war time substantive Sergeant.
On the 3rd January 1943 he was admitted to the 57 British General Hospital [believed to have been at Dhekelia, Cyprus Ed.].
On the 14th January 1943 he was discharged from hospital to Con Depot [possibly convalescent depot Ed.]. Then on the 27th January 1943 he was discharged from Con Depot to Cyprus.
On the 10th March 1943 he was moved from Cyprus to Alexandria, Egypt and on the 27h April 1943 he was moved from Egypt to Cyprus.
On the 1st December 1943 he was granted his 1st Grant of Long Service and Good Conduct pay.
Between the 22nd and the 27th April 1944 he was granted H/K/M @ 5/- (2) [meaning unknown Ed.].
On the 28th April 1944 he was moved from Cyprus to Haifa, Palestine.
On the 1st May 1944 he was posted to 114 P10 Company. Then on 1st June 1944 he was attached to the Headquarters of the 9th Army. On the 25th June 1944 he ceased to be attached to the 9th Army.
On the 6th July 1944 he was posted to Syria & illegible P10 Company.
Between the 11th and the 24th September 1944, he was granted H/K/M @ 7/- (2) [meaning unknown Ed.].
On the 29th October 1944 he was posted to depot X(IV)A.
On the 15th November 1944 he was struck off the strength of the Middle East Force and returned to the U.K. after 4 years and 291 days abroad. On the 2nd December 1944 he commenced a period of service at Home where he was posted to illegible from the Middle East Force (Long Service illegible).
On the 12th January 1945 he was posted to the London District P100 Company.
On the 23rd February 1945 illegible depot Corps of Military Police for Refresher Course (Provost Marshall letter PM/58 dated 116/2/45). Then on the 24th March 1945 he returned to the London District PC from the Refresher Course.
He was struck off the strength of this unit on 28th July 1945 and posted to Middle East list on 29th July 1945 pending relegation to War Reserve indefinitely for employment as Civil Policeman. Medical exam on A.F.W. 3149. Address on release 19, York Road Watford Fields Watford Herts.
Marriage.
On the 2nd January 1945 Frederick James Wilson married Mary Florence Norris at Watford. Mary was born on the 29th January 1912 at Watford and in the 1939 Register she was recorded as being employed as a Polish Packer and was living with her parents at 19, York Road, Watford. They had no children.
Re-joining The Police.
Frederick’s Police Personal Record also states that he returned to the Police on the 19th August 1945 having been discharged from the Corps of Military Police as a Sergeant. However, instead of returning to Hemel Hempstead he was transferred to Chipperfield.
In March 1946, May 1947 and December 1948 he passed the Voucher, Medallion and 1st Label St. Johns Ambulance First Aid qualifications.
On the 14th October 1948 Sergeant 2655400 Frederick James Wilson of the Corps of Military Police, born 14th August 1912, who was discharged from the army on the 19th August 1945, applied and was awarded the 1939/45 Star, the Africa Star, the Defence Medal and the War Service Medal. He gave his address as Police Cottage, Chipperfield, Kings Langley.
Medical Retirement and Death.
On the 8th June 1950, the Chief Constable A.F. Wilcox wrote a memo to all of his Divisional Superintendents on the subject of ex-Constable 90 Wilson.
I have been informed that the above Constable who retired from the Force on 5th January on a small ill-health pension is in poor circumstances.
Wilson took up clerical work shortly after leaving the Force but was compelled to give this up after having a heart attack and is now in hospital. I understand that his eyesight has almost gone and requires constant attention.
Unfortunately as he was not a member of the Old Comrades Association it is not possible to make him a grant, I am sure all members of the Force will feel sorry for Wilson, who is only 37 years of age, and the suggestion has been made to me that many members of the Force would welcome the opportunity of making some contribution to help him and his wife in their present financial difficulties.
I have no objection to a voluntary collection being made and Sectional Officers should forward to their Superintendents any amounts that may be donated. The totals collected in Divisions should be sent to this office when I will arrange for the money to be sent to Wilson.
Signed: A.F. Wilson, Chief Constable.
An addendum was added prior to the memo being sent out.
I have since learned ex-PC Wilson died on the evening of 8th June, leaving his widow in straightened circumstances.
At the bottom of this copy of the memo was a reply from an Inspector on behalf of his Divisional Superintendent, unfortunately his signature is illegible.
The Chief Constable, Hatfield.
Sir. The sum of £4. 5s. 0d. collected from members of this Division is forwarded herewith. Will you please acknowledge receipt.
Signed pp Superintendent 5.7.50.
Clearly other collections were forwarded to the Chief Constable, and it was presented to Mrs. Wilson. On 15th July 1950 she wrote to the Chief Constable.
Mrs. M.F. Wilson, 10 Queen Street, Chipperfield, Kings Langley, Herts.
Dera Sir. Would you please convey to all members of the Hertfordshire Constabulary my heartfelt thanks for the collection made for me. It is greatly appreciated and is indeed a big help to me at this time.
It is a great comfort to me to know that my husband had, and that I have if I may so, so many friends.
Again, thanking you one and all.
Yours very sincerely
Mary F. Wilson.
Published in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette on Friday 16th June 1950 under the headline: Funeral of Ex-Policeman. At Chipperfield on Tuesday Policemen from the Hemel Hempstead Division paid their last respects to an ex-colleague, P.C. 90 Frederick James Wilson, 37, who died in West Herts Hospital on Thursday of last week after a long illness. Constable Wilson joined the Force on February 1st,1937, and was serving at Hemel Hempstead when the war commenced. He joined the Coldstream Guards and served in the Middle East as a Sergeant in the Military Police. He returned to the Force at the end of the war but was retired for health reasons at the end of last year. He leaves a wife. The funeral service at St. Paul’s Church, Chipperfield, was conducted by the Vicar of Chorleywood, the Rev. Gilliat, owing to the illness of the Vicar of Chipperfield, the Rev. Cannon Davis. Members of the Police Force acted as pall bearers at the funeral in the Churchyard.
The following death notice was published in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette on Friday 16th June 1950:
WILSON. – On June 8th,1950, at West Herts Hospital, Frederick James Wilson, beloved husband of Mary, of 10, Queen Street, Chipperfield, aged 37 years.
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