Jemima died of accidental injuries on 2nd December 1917. She was born in Scotland in 1893. Her parents were James and Margaret Wilson, of Ingleston Cottage, Moniaive, Dumfriesshire and her siblings were John (b. 1895), Thomas (b. 1896) and William (b. 1898).
Jemima was buried in Newcastle-upon-Tyne St Andrew’s and
Jesmond Cemetery, Grave Reference: Q. U. 364. (Sources: Find my Past and The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission List of Female Casualties of the First World War)
With thanks to Sabine Declerq in Belgium for finding this
report:
The 'Dumfries and Galloway Standard' wrote on the 15th
December 1917 about Jemima's death:
“Miss Jemima Wilson, aged 24, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs
Wilson, Ingleston Cottage, Moniaive, met her death under tragic circumstances.
She was in service with Viscountess Baranton in London, and she recently left
her employment there and joined the kitchen staff of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (W.A.A.C.) at Bensham,
near Gateshead-on-Tyne, UK. She went to turn on a tap to fill a boiler, and in
order to reach the tap she had to stand on a box to get on to a bench. On
stepping off the box the bench tilted, and she fell, upsetting some cans of hot
tea, which scalded her badly about the arms and legs. She was immediately
attended to, and was taken to a hospital, but she never rallied, death being
due to blood poisoning. She was well liked by her girl workers, and she was
buried with full military honours.
When she was a girl
she lived for a long time with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Johnstone,
Cargenhelm Lodge, near Dumfries. Her brother, Private Tom Wilson, K.O.S.B., was
killed at the Somme last year. Another brother is serving with the forces. Much
sympathy is expressed for her parents in their bereavement.
Another of her brothers, John Wilson, served as a signaller
in the Seaforth Highlanders, and another, Walter Wilson, served in the Royal
Navy.”
Source: A. B. Hall & The Glencairn Memorial Book &
Gladys Cuttle & Teesside Archives.
If anyone has a photograph of Jemima or any more information, please get in touch.
