Killed as a result of a 13 October 1944 air raid on Coronation Avenue.
Walter Abraham Wilson was born on 16 June 1882 in Hoxton, Middlesex (now Greater London), one of the seven children of Edward Wilson (b.1842) and Elizabeth Wilson née Farr. His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1882 in the Shoreditch Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London).
In the 1891 census he is shown as Walter Wilson, aged 8 years, living at 53 Great James Street, Shoreditch, London, (now renamed as Purcell Street), with his parents and three of his siblings: Sarah Wilson (b. circa 1876) a fancy trimmer; William Wilson (b. circa 1878) and Jane Edith Wilson (1880-1940). His father was described as a chair maker.
He was listed in the 1901 census as Walter Wilson, aged 18 years and an oilman's assistant, still residing at 53 Great James Street, Shoreditch with his parents and three of his siblings: Sarah Wilson - a millineress (infants); William Wilson - an engineer's labourer and Jane Edith Wilson - a cardboard box maker. His father was still described as a chair maker.
On 9 December 1906 he was married in St Paul's Church, Essex Road, Canonbury, Islington, London. His wife was shown as Adelaide Lavinia Dalton (1881-1940) in the wedding banns that were read between 18 November 1906 and 2 December 1906 and on the marriage register The marriage register shows him as aged 25 years, a bachelor and an oilman's manager, residing at 8 Newington Green Road, Islington, the son of Edward Wilson, an upholsterer, whilst his wife was recorded as aged 26 years, a spinster also living at 8 Newington Green Road, the daughter of John Dalton, a costume stand maker.
Electoral registers from 1909 to 1914 confirm him as listed at 183 New North Road, Hoxton, London and when he completed his 1911 census return form he described himself as aged 28 years and a manager of domestic stores, living in three rooms at 183 New North Road, Hoxton, together with his wife whom he listed as Adalaide Lavina Wilson, aged 29 years, who had been married for four years and had not given birth to any children. Also on the night of the 1911 census his mother-in-law, Ellen Hannah Dalton (1856-1917), was recorded there as a visitor.
Electoral registers from 1932 to 1935 list him and his wife, who was shown as Adelaide Wilson, at 183 New North Road, Hoxton, but the registers from 1936 to 1939 show him and his wife, now listed as Ada Wilson, at 23 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16.
The 1939 England and Wales Register confirms his date of birth as 16 June 1882 and he is described as a manager (domestic stores), living at 23 High Street, Stoke Newington, London together with his wife who is listed as Lavinia A. Wilson on unpaid domestic duties.
He died, aged 58 years, on 13 October 1940, his death being registered in the 4th quarter of 1940 in the Stoke Newington Registration district. Probate records state 'WILSON Walter Abraham of 23 Stoke Newington High-street Stoke Newington London who is believed to have been killed through war operations on 13 October 1940 and whose dead body was found on 19 October 1940 at 157-161 Stoke Newington road Stoke Newington. Administration Llandudno 22 March 1941 to William Wilson oil and colourman. Effects £365-10s-4d'. (William Wilson was his brother).
On the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 that is held in Westminster Abbey, London, he is recorded as:- 'WILSON, WALTER ABRAHAM, aged 58 years; A.R.P. Shelter Marshal; of 23 Stoke Newington High Street. Son of the late Edward and Elizabeth Wilson, of 20 Gledeston Road, Hackney; husband of Ada Lavinia Wilson. 13 October 1940 157/161 Stoke Newington Road'.
He is shown as WALTER ABRAHAM WILSON on the Stoke Newington civilian war memorial and is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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