Lieutenant George Walker Wildman

Lieutenant George Walker Wildman
Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Age 37
Died 19 April 1917
Buried at Pulham St Mary, Norfolk

RNAS Pulham (later RAF Pulham) was a Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) airship station.

Lieutenant Wildman is listing as having been killed in an accident in the UK.

He is commemorated at St Botolph’s church, London, where he is listed as a parishioner, and is also listed as the husband of AM Wildman, 60 Berlin Road, Catford, London SE6.

George Wildman worked as an Assistant Examiner at the Patent Office (Board of Trade).

His service records list him as Temporary Lieutenant from 17 March 1917, when posted to ‘HMS President add’l for RNAS for hydrogen duties.’

On 25 March he attended a Disciplinary Course at Crystal Palace and on 16 April he was posted to HMS President for Hydrogen Section, Admiralty, for Hydrogen duties.

He was killed on 19 April as a result of an explosion of silicol gas plant at Pulham, Norfolk.

His grave is no longer easily visible in the church yard. There are several CWGC headstones (including other members of the RNVR) in the area north of the church, but it is possible that the headstone was inscribed by his family, rather than the CWGC, and that the text is no longer legible.

Wildman is also commemorated on the Patent Office Memorial 1914-1918, now hanging in Concept House, Newport.

The 1901 census of Newlands, Bromley Road, Catford SE6 lists George Wildman as living with his parents:

George Wildman, Head, Age 49, Occupation Manager Straw Hat Factory, Born Toddington, Bedfordshire

Martha E Wildman, Wife, Age 49, Born Rotherhithe, London

George W Wildman, Son, Age 21, Occupation Assistant Civil Officer Admiralty Victualling Store, Born Rotherhithe, London

Mabel A Craven, Servant, Age 23, Born Rotherhithe, London