WW1 KIA medal trio to Pte. J.F Wilson, Notts & Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)

A First World War Killed in Action medal trio to "17335 PTE. J.F. WILSON NOTTS & DERBY R."
1914-15 Star, 1914-18 War Medal and Victory medal, sold together with original envelope addressed to his mother and the letter of award for the 1914-15 Star.

Private James Frost Wilson of the 2nd Battalion (Sherwood Foresters) Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment was born about 1898 in Langley Mill, Derbyshire. His father was the one-time proprietor of the Sir James Frost Hotel in Ilkeston before he died in 1904. Aged just 17, Pte. Wilson died of wounds sustained in France on 21st May 1915 whilst under the care of the 18th Field Ambulance. He is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension.

The heroic circumstances of his death were reported at an Ilkeston council meeting held on 1st June 1915 and published in Nottingham Daily Express, 2nd June 1915.
“The Mayor (Mr. J. Macdonald) at the outset alluded to the recent losses the town had sustained by the war, and read a letter from the Front respecting the heroic manner in which Private Wilson, an office boy on the Corporation staff, met his death. He was only 17 years of age. The writer of the letter, who was in the same regiment as Wilson, said: “I am sure Ilkeston has every reason to feel proud of such a young hero. Jimmy was one of a party who went to rescue some men of ours who were entombed in a trench that had been blown up. The rescue was rendered difficult by the poisonous fumes. Wilson was untiring in his efforts to reach the men, and after making three attempts he had to be carried away. He was at once conveyed to hospital and everything was done for him, but after four days he died. He was buried among the brave Sherwoods who have given their lives for their country. Had he lived he would have been the means of bringing to Ilkeston the D.S.M., [sic] if not the highest possible honour, for I know his conduct was to be mentioned.”

“The Mayor said the Council would desire him to express their sincere sympathy with his mother and relatives on the death of this young lad. He well remembered an occasion when twenty volunteers were asked for in connection with the Territorial Forces, and young Wilson presented himself. He was regarded as too young. “I shall never forget,” said the Mayor, “the sorrow which was quite apparent in him that he was not one of those selected on that occasion. Dr. Tobin said to him, “Wilson, you had better go home because you are too young.” The following day the lad went to Nottingham and enlisted.”

The battalion war diary entry for 16th May 1915 (TNA WO 95/1616/3):
“Quiet day except for a few “little willies” into our right company ('A') & some more big trench mortar bombs into Railway Fort. During the afternoon the Sappers examining the mine in Railway Fort were overcome with gas (CO). [Carbon Monoxide] Several men were more or less affected in attempting to rescue the Sappers & Pte. Savage, 'B' Company, gallantly lost his life after having rescued several of his comrades. Total casualties from gas: –– Pte. Savage & 2 Sappers killed. Lieut. Perry (M.O.) [Medical Officer] & 8 men admitted to hospital suffering from the effect of gas.”
and gas.