The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DelBoy

I've seen in a late 1914 newspaper obituary to a man described as in the West Indian Contingent in Trinidad. His family address was Falkirk.

Not on CWGC as far as i can tell.

Does anyone know what regiments made up the W.I.C.?
Can't say i've found much about them on the web.

His suname is Wilson, i don't have the exact date to hand, on my other compy.

Derek.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 4:08 pm Post subject:

Derek - the Long, Long Trail has at

http://www.1914-1918.net/britishwestindiesregiment.html

The regular West India Regiment long pre-dated the Great War. Its 1st Battalion, based at Freetown, sent a detachment for service in German Cameroons. 2nd Battalion saw much service in the West and East African campaigns and then went to Palestine in September 1918.

From the "Moving Here" website: Following the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 many West Indians left the colonies to enlist in the army in the UK and were recruited into British regiments. However, the War Office was concerned with the number of black soldiers in the army and tried to prevent any people from the West Indies enlisting. Indeed, the War Office threatened to repatriate any who arrived. Eventually, after much discussion between the Colonial Office and the War Office, and the intervention of King George V, approval to raise a West Indian contingent was given on 19 May 1915. On 26 October 1915 the British West Indies Regiment was established.

There are 8 Wilson's of the BWIR listed on the CWGC Register but the earliest date is 1916.
_________________
Ken

DelBoy · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:18 am Post subject:

Thanks for that, all the stuff i was finding was later in the war.
Here's the Obit from October 1915, not 1914 as i stated.

In Trinidad, on 5th October, James Wilson (Tertius), aged 42, West Indian Contingent, eldest son of the late Robert Wilson of Mayfield, Falkirk.

I've found nothing on Scotlands peopleregarding a consular return.

Derek.