Captain Lionel Wild
Captain Lionel Tudor Wild was the second son of Mr & Mrs Aubrey S.Wild of 21 Canning Road, Addiscombe, London. He was educated at St Winifreds, Kenly and Reading School.
He was for some time in the service of the London & Westminster Bank, but, his tastes being mechanical rather than commercial, he turned his attention to motor engineering, and after an apprenticeship in this profession he obtained a position in the branch of Argyll's Ltd in 1913. Early in the following year he was appointed manager of the Aberdeen branch of the same firm.
Before he settled in Scotland Captain Wild was well known in connection with local activities. He was for several years a keen member of the Surrey Yeomanry, in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant, and was a good horseman and a first class shot. He was also closely connected with the foundation of the Croydon Junior Imperial League and the Croydon Rugby Football Club.
In addition to these interests he, with several others, did much to brighten the lives of the inhabitants of one of the common lodging houses in the borough by Sunday Services and, Christmas entertainments, and other means.
On the outbreak of war Captain Wild was mobilised with the Surrey Yeomanry, but wishing to proceed quickly on active service he obtained a commission in the Somerset Light Infantry in February 1915, and after training on Salisbury Plain left for France in July.
In due course he was promoted Lieutenant, and was mentioned on dispatches for good work. Afterwards he was appointed Brigade Staff Captain.
After holding this appointment for some months, he returned to his battalion as company commander, and was acting in the capacity when he met his death.
The following is an extract from a letter of a private in Captain Wild's company describing his last moments. "I saw them both killed in retirement before the German counterattack at Cambrai at the end of November.
"We had been dropping back slowly, fighting all the way, for twelve hours, till our left gave way and after hanging on till the last moment, at about 10am the order 'Every man for himself' was given. Things then were very confused, and the German planes were doing great execution.
"While the remnants of us were getting away Sergeant Dawson and Captain Wild hung behind and put up a brilliant bayonet fight with the advancing Germans. A group of half a dozen Germans rushed at them and were put out, then party after party followed till I reckon they disposed of 30 Germans.
"I was behind a ridge for fifteen minutes watching this.
"Finally, attacked from all sides, with about 20 of the enemy around them, apparently breathless with their exertions, they were overpowered. Sergeant Dawson fell first, and Captain Wild immediately afterwards...The fight they put up certainly helped some of the remnants to get clear"
Captain Wild's was 29 years old when he was killed, his body was never found and he is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval.

