Roll of Honour
Pioneer
Neil Kerr Webster Wilson
Student
Neil Kerr Webster Wilson was born on the 5th June 1895 at Reid's Land, Crossgates, Bellshill, Lanarkshire. He was the son of Robert Wilson, a Colliery Engine-keeper, and Catherine Wilson (née Webster), who had married on the 26th June 1883 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Neil enrolled at the University in 1914 at the age of 19, to study Latin and Mathematics and matriculated again in the following year for classes in French and English. The family resided at Bruce Terrace in Bellshill, where Neil lived throughout his studies. However, the outbreak of war during his first year meant he left his studies.
Neil served as a Pioneer with the "A" Special Company Royal Engineers. The British Army first formed these special units in 1915 in response to the first use of chemical weapons in the Great War at Ypres, in March 1915.
Pioneer Neil Kerr Webster Wilson died in service on the 4th September 1917 at the age of 22. He is buried at the Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery, near the site of the Battle of Loos in the Pas de Calais region of France.
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Faculty, General Council and Registry records GUAS ref: R8/5/53/8, R8/5/54/8.
Burial Place: Commonwealth War Grave