Corp W L Delo (1890 – 1919)

Wallace Leonard Delo was baptised at St Mary Magdalene on 4th July, 1890 – the son of Edward and Clara. Edward was a labourer at the tannery. The family lived for many years on Bernard’s Hill.

Wallace worked as a corder in a factory spinning yarn for the carpet industry. He also served four years with the 4th Battalion KSLI before the war. In August 1914 Wallace re-enlisted and rejoined the KSLI. He landed in France on 21st May, 1915 with the 5th Battalion KSLI.

Early in December 1915, Wallace received a shrapnel wound to his right eye. He returned to England where, after treatment failed, the eye was removed. Because he was no longer ‘A1’, he was eventually transferred to the Labour Corps – a unit charged with the task of building and maintaining the roads, railways, buildings and communication systems required by the military.

Wallace survived the war but, before being demobilized, he died of influenza on 8th February, 1919 at Preese Heath Military Hospital. He is buried in Bridgnorth Cemetery.

Wallace married Matilda Francis at Chelmarsh in 1917. They had one daughter.

Corporal Wallace Leonard Delo, 11019 / 266136, C Coy, 5th KSLI of 69 Bernard's Hill was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star.

MILITARY FUNERAL
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 15th February, 1919]
Corporal Wallace L. Delo, K.S.L.I., who died at Prees Heath from pneumonia following an attack of influenza, was interred in Bridgnorth Cemetery on Wednesday last with military honours. The deceased who was 28th years of age, was the second son of Mr and Mrs E. Delo, 32 Bernard’s Hill, and previous to joining up he worked at the Town’s Mills. He was married and resided at 69 Bernard’s Hill. Several wounded soldiers and others on leave in the town attended the funeral, and the firing party was in charge of Sergt. C. Jones. Bugler S. Southwell sounded the “Last Post”.