Selected Biographies

Wilding, Charles Edward – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 17.6.1906.[1]  Parents: Charles Robert Edward Wilding (Roadman), [see details below] and Sarah Ann [née King].  Home: Green Lane, Acton, Suffolk (1911), Post Office Row, Acton (1921).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1921).  Service Record: Charles enlisted in November 1923 as Pte.21872 with the Royal Marine Light Infantry.[2]

Wilding, Charles Robert Edward – Born: Acton, Suffolk on 14.3.1881.[3]  Parents: Zedekiah Wilding (Labourer) and Susan [née Day].  Family Connections: Father to Charles Edward Wilding [b1906].  Home: Green Lane, Acton, Suffolk (1891 and 1901), Post Office Row, Acton (1911 to 1921) The Sycamores, High Street, Acton (1939).  Occupation: Stockman on Farm (1901), Agricultural Labourer (1911), Roadman for Melford Rural District and Agricultural Labourer for C. Branwhite of Long Melford [1916], Roadman (1921 to 1939).  Married: Sarah Ann King [d1925] in 1905 and Alice Beatrice Pleasants in 1928.  Service Record: At the Long Melford Military Service Tribunal in October 1916 Wilding’s employers applied for his exemption. This was granted for three months only.[4] The name of his unit is not known as no definitive military record has been found.  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1969.

Wilding, John – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1776.[5]  Parents: John Wilding and Mary [née Ely].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1841 to 1851).  Occupation: Chelsea Pensioner (1851).  Service Record: John served in the Army until being pensioned off in August 1818.  He may have seen action during the Napoleonic War, probably during the Peninsula Campaign of 1810 to 1814, however no extant record can be found.  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1853.

Notes – [1] Admission Register of 1909 for Acton Voluntary School, Acton, Suffolk and his RMLI Record. [2] Royal Marines: Registers of Service [ADM 159/200].  [3] 1939 Register. [4] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 25.10.1916.  [5] Baptism Register of 26.5.1776 for Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.