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Wilson Woodmancy from Tickton served in the Wagoners' Reserve and saw service in France. The Wagoners' Reserve was the brainchild of Sir Mark Sykes of Sledmere, who was concerned about Britain's unpreparedness for European war. A Special Reserve of the Territorial Army was created of men from the Wolds, skilled in handling pole-wagons and horses that could be readily available for transportation work should war break out in Europe and allow the British Army to take the field more quickly. Each man got £1 upon recruitment and another £1 for each subsequent year of service. Men had to be used to working with horses, under 45 and willing to serve at home or abroad.
Wilson was the son of John Wilson, farm worker and later an oil seed labourer and Jane (nee Turner). In 1901 Wilson was a cattleman at Lickham Hall, Scorborough. His brothers were also working on the land and Arthur (b 1896) and George (b1889) also served in the Special Reserve. Wilson attested at Fimber on 18 Feb 1913. He was called up on 5 Aug 1914 and on 23 Aug disembarked in France. The Wagoners did not serve together, but joined other units of the Army Service Corps in one of 6 Reserve Parks. Wilson's record sheet describes him as being in the ASC (BHTD). He was awarded the Victory Medal and the 1914 Star.
Wilson later lived in Conisborough, and married Elizabeth in 1924. He died in 1964 in Worsley, West Yorkshire.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |