23rd Hussars

Lance Sergeant Edward Mons Wilson was born in 1915 and went on to join the Royal Armoured Corps 23rd Hussars.
He was only 29 when he died, on September 21 1944, killed in the village of Gerwen, near Nijmegen in the southern Netherlands.

"We know he was the son of William Donkin Wilson, of Cromwell Street in Gateshead, and that he was initially buried in a field grave before, on December 30 1947 being reburied at Mook war cemetery. He is also mentioned on the Groesbeek war memorial.
Edward was the son of William Donkin Wilson and Florence Renshaw, and was the second youngest of five children - also including Elizabeth, Florence, William and Headley.

His mother is believed to have died in 1951, and his father in 1965. The last known next of kin address for the soldier was 78 Herbert Street in Felling, Gateshead.

Stuart Wheeler, assistant archive & library manager at The Tank Museum, said the action in which Edward died proved key in maintaining the main supply route to Arnhem at a critical point in the offensive, and would later be said to have "saved Eindhoven."

"On September 21 the 23rd Hussars were ordered to press north through Geldop and across the railway linking Eindhoven and Helmond.

"Reports suggested that a large German force of tanks and infantry were waiting at Nunen, Gerwen and Nederwetten - most likely the 107th Panzer Brigade equipped with a battalion of Panthers and a Battalion of Panzer Grenadiers.

"Around 3pm A squadron was sent with an infantry company to take Gerwen and B Squadron with another infantry company led the rest of the battalion into Nunen unopposed.

"23rd Hussars employed Sherman V tanks (M4A4) equipped with a 75mm guns and Sherman VC Fire-flies with 17 pounder guns. The 75mm equipped Shermans had 5 man crews the Firefly had a 4 man crew.

Anyone with information about relatives of the soldier should contact Foppe D. de Lang f.delang@onsnet.nu

 

Foppe

Welcome to the Forum.

It would be helpful if you could explain why you want to contact living relatives of the soldier.

Steve

 

Fair enough Owen. But having lived and worked in The Netherlands for a while it's the Dutch way - straight to the point. I've got used to it, and actually prefer the Dutch approach!

Welcome to the forum Foppe (I presume you're Dutch?).

 

I found this when I Googled the address. It is from a local Gateshead web site where others can post requests for information etc. It is a genuine attempt at locating living relatives regarding a commemorative ceremony in the Netherlands albeit a year ago but this week is also the anniversary of their Liberation so an enquiry of this type at this time is totally understandable. Let's hope someone can provide more information to help our Dutch friends.

........Can you help me ? Warhero On September 21 1944 in a battle with the Germans in Gerwen (municipality of Nuenen), South Netherlands Lance Serjeant Edward Mons Wilson, age 29, no. 7928558 was killed. He belonged to the Royal Armoured Corps 23rd Hussars. He was the son of William Donkin Wilson and Florence Wilson or Gateshead, Co, Durham. Edward is buried at first in a field grave and on December 30 1947 by the 55th Grave Concentration Unit reburied on Mook War Cemetery He is also mentioned on Panel 1 Groesbeek Memorial Family Wilson consists of :William Donkin Wilson married Florence Renshaw in 1907 Children: Elizabeth born about 1908, Florence born about 1909, William H born 1912, Edward Mons 1915 and Headley born 1916 William Donkin Wilson died in 1965 in Gateshead and Florence Renshaw died possible in 1951 The last known next of kin address for Edward Mons Wilson at the time of his death which was 78 Herbert Street, Gateshead. County Durham Related to the commemoration of our liberation op 16 and 19/20 Sept. 2014 (70 years ago) I am looking for relatives of Edward Mons Wilson......