Contributed by Sandshoe (Christina Binning Wilson).
My late father, George Wilson, was 11 years of age when his cousin, Willie, was killed in France. The First World War Poetry Digital Archive contains a comprehensive project detailing the memory of William and can be accessed at the link below the image: if ever a diary project conveys an unavoidable sense of the waste of war the project presented does. In memory of William Barclay Binning.
http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa/document/9630/8675
Acknowledgement: ‘This item is from The First World War Poetry Digital Archive, University of Oxford (www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit); © [Beath High School/Contributed by Christine Plummer]’.
Window Dresser's Arms, Pig & Whistle 
Small world – I am grandson of William’s classmates – my grandmother and grandfather – Jane Kelso and Adam Fulton; apparently William was engaged to Jane. You may be interested in Imperial War Museum pages remembering those who served in First World War – William’s entry may be found at https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/345713. Happy to send you all information, photos that I have of him if you wish – regards
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Dear Adam
I know of your grandparents Jane Kelso who was William’s sweetheart and Adam Fulton incredibly. I have seen the class photo of them. Thank you for finding my reference to William. I am very pleased we are each found, Adam. I look forward to making contact with you through email and we can do that by asking Mike Jones who owns and manages the project here to be a kind middle man, if Adam would be so good as to send your email address to Mike’s.
If you go to the header and the menu under the picture of the pub at the top of the page, click on ‘About’ and you will find a description of what the project here is about. In the middle of that page, easy to see at a glance is the address Mike offers inviting readers and contributors to email him material to put up on the ‘wall’ of the pub.
Thank you Mike Jones for sending me an email drawing my immediate attention that Adam had ‘turned up’ at the pub. Many thanks again.
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In memory of all the ANZACs and indeed, anyone and everyone who died in any and every war, I shall always remember the utter stupidity and the inevitable futility of war… LEST WE FORGET!
I didn’t want to say the above on Emmjay’s post, as it may have been misinterpreted in that context. However, I think ‘Shoe has given me an opportunity to make my Anzac Day comment (albeit a little belatedly) in a context which makes clear my real intent. I shall follow your link a bit later, ‘Shoe… when I feel strong enough to deal with descriptions of a reality which can only have been unimaginably depressing…
🙂
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Myself, I think not, dear asty vis-a-vis the idea of your being misinterpreted.
You might find some interest in the Archive. It has a number of rooms. In William’s section you will find some family photos if you scan the material at the link I have provided below…
🙂
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I hope the following link does not get trapped in the spam filter: at the site there is a list of illustrated links to newspaper references, the diary page describing the death of William written by a fellow soldier, which includes description of his academic achievement and intention to study medicine. The site is not maudlin and presents frankly the circumstance of William, particularly the grief of his parents.
http://www.FOLLOWED BY oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/db/results.php?CISOOP1=all&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOBOX1=Binning&CISOROOT=%2Fgwa&search=Go
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Therese; how kind you corrected my spelling. I like a hands-on editor. 🙂
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Yes, these add-on comments on this page could come off, ed..
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Get off, then 🙂
Me too ? Struth !
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I thought you removed a couple, ed.
It’s a bottomless pit. Fell in. 🙂
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What an amazing resource.
Yes, a healthy lad dead at nineteen. A story repeated far too often.
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‘Shoe, thank you for the piece. It’s a very telling headstone. Second Lieutenant at age 19.
And the First World War Digital Archive (link) is a treasure indeed.
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It is well worth a visit isn’t it, Therese, thank you. Yes, the curated presentation of this material is an inspiration. The Archive is a treasure.
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It is a telling headstone. The Archival material presented at the link is a dedicated collection of letters, but other ephemera that expands on what is already said on the headstone.
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