Date of birth: 1891
Place of birth: Southampton
Service No.: 12124
Rank: Private
Regiment / Division: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion: 6th Battalion
Died: 14th July 1915 aged 24 years
Death Location: Gallipoli
Life before the War
Wilfred was registered as Wilfred Albert L as per the birth indexes. His father was Henry William born 1839, Bilworthy, Devon, dying in 1923. His mother, Ellen Gertrude nee Carter was born in St. Helier, Jersey in 1867 and died in 1947. Henry and Ellen married in 1886. His siblings were:
Florence Gertrude b.4th September 1887 d. 1975
Edith Hilda b.4th May 1889 d.1973
Hilda Agnes b.1894
Helen Mabel b.1896
Eva Millicent b.19th September 1898 d.1974
Reginald Herbert S b.27th November 1900 d.1984
Cyril Raymond P b.23rd January 1903 d.1988
In 1891, the family lived at 136, Bevois Valley Road, Southampton. Henry was a Ship’s Carpenter on the Seas.
The family had moved to 27, South Road, Portswood, Southampton by 1901. Henry was now employed as a Shipwright.
Whilst the family still lived in Southampton in 1911, Wilfred had moved to Lancashire and living at 55, Napier Street, Nelson where he was employed as a Cotton Weaver.
War Service
| Name: | Wilfrid Metters |
| Birth Place: | Southampton, Hants |
| Death Date: | 14 Jul 1915 |
| Death Location: | Gallipoli |
| Enlistment Location: | Nelson, Lancs |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | East Lancashire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 6th Battalion |
| Number: | 12124 |
| Type of Casualty: | Died |
| Theatre of War: | Balkan Theatre |
Wilfred is Remembered with Honour on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. He is also mentioned on the Jersey Memorial as well as the Southampton Cenotaph and Memorial Wall.
Jersey Memorial reads:
“Private Wilfred Albert Metters
East Lancashire Regiment
14/07/1915
Son of Jersey born Ellen Gertrude Metters, of “Kirkwood,” Clitheroe Rd., Brierfield, Lancs, and the late Henry Metters. Born at Southampton.
Died at Gallipoli, aged 24 years”.
He is also mentioned on a cross which was built on a wall in Macleod Street, Nelson between St. Joseph’s Church and Presbytery. The Cross reads:
Memorial Cross Nelson
Helles Memorial Turkey.
“OUR ONLY HOPE
JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS
FOR US ALL
MOTHER OF SORROWS PRAY FOR US
ALMIGHTY LORD GOD
GRANT TO OUR FALLEN HEROES
ETERNAL REST
TO OUR WOUNDED DUE RECOMPENSE
TO OUR COUNTRY PEACE AND PROGRESS”
Wilfred was entitled to the British Service and Victory Medals.
Researched by Becky Lonergan November 2013.
