The Soldiers - Captain/Quartermaster/Major. C H WILSON Knt.

The Soldiers
Captain / Quartermaster / Major. C H WILSON Knt.
Born 13/1/1859, "Thorn Grange", Bransby - Cum - Stearsby, Easingwold. Died 30th December 1930	Sir Charles Henry Wilson was one of seven children born to John and Elizabeth Wilson of Stearsby, Yorkshire. After his education at Easingwold near York, he joined the staff of the North Eastern Railway Company as a clerk. Shortly after he married his fiancé Victoria, and their son Charles Percy Wilson was born in 1880. Soon after the birth of his son he started his own accountancy business in Leeds, at the same time serving (1876 to 1887) with the 2^nd Yorkshire (Leeds) Royal Engineers Volunteer Corps. In 1902 he became an Alderman of the City, also representing the North of Leeds on behalf of the Liberal Party. On the 29/9/1914, as Chairman of the Leeds City Council committee, Alderman Wilson, moved the following resolution: "That the Council learns with great satisfaction that the offer of Colonel Stead to raise a Battalion of Leeds business men, 1000 strong, to form part of Lord Kitchener’s second Army, which offer having being strongly supported by the Lord Mayor of Leeds Mr E A Brotherton, has now received the official sanction of the Army Council, and desires to thank the Lord Mayor for his patriotic offer to provide the necessary personal equipment and to assure Colonel Stead that the Council will heartily support the efforts he is making"
Charles Henry Wilson (5th from right - back row), with fellow members of the Leeds Pals raising committee and members of the Pals advance party at Colsterdale 23^rd September 1914. The sashes were worn by campsite supervisors/officials. Arthur Meeson can be seen 5th from the left (middle row) wearing a sash.
On the 25/9/1914 Alderman Charles H Wilson joined the battalion which he had been instrumental in raising and was appointed Temporary "Honorary" Captain & Quartermaster of the Battalion. He had only been serving with the "pals" for seven months, when in July 1915 at Ripon Camp, a fall from his horse, caused injuries that forced him to relinquish his position with the Battalion. He was eventually succeeded, on the 12^th October 1915, by Captain Robert J Anderson. Charles Wilson’s military career did not end there for in late 1915, after recuperating, he raised and after promotion to Major, commanded until 1920, the Leeds Squadrons of the West Riding (R A S C) Motor Volunteers. These were Automobile owners ineligible or unfit for military service who offered their vehicles and services for military use as part of the war effort. In 1917 he had been made a Freeman of the City of London, and a Liveryman, also serving throughout 1919 as L’Agent Consulaire de France in Leeds. Soon after the War ended the "Leeds Pals Association" was formed; the first president was Charles Wilson "Cheeky Charley" has he was known to his "Pals". After the death of his wife Victoria in 1919, he married Elizabeth Parvin a widow of Nawton, North Yorkshire on the 24/6/1920. In1923 he was knighted, in the same year becoming a Member of Parliament (representing central Leeds) and Freeman of the City. Even after a lifetime working for the benefit of Leeds and its residents, when he could have rested on his laurels, still his great concern was his beloved Leeds. Troubled as to the legality of the Leeds Coat of Arms, (it had never been registered with college of Heralds) he took it upon himself to submit the matter to the college and approval after minor colour alterations was soon given. Sir Charles Wilson a "self-made man" (non smoker and teetotaller), stands out amongst the patrons of Leeds. He was a patriot of unbelievable proportions, a bon vivont and a true gentleman. His great deeds could easily fill a book and though not born in the city, in every respect he was "Mister Leeds". He died at 6.15am on Tuesday the 30^th of December 1930.Aged 71. We may never see the likes of him again.