Ursuline College Research Charles Oscar Wilson

With the Israel Gaza War now in its second month, Ursuline College Students in Westgate have taken time to research and remember one of the former Ramsgate School boys from St Augustine’s College, who gave his life in the First Battle of Gaza in March of 1917.

Charles Oscar Wilson (nicknamed “COW”) was a pupil at St Augustine’s College in Ramsgate between 1906 and 1910.  He left school at the age of 16 and at the outbreak of the Great War, joined the Army as a Private.  He later received a Commission as Second Lieutenant.  He lost his life on 30^th March 1917 and is buried in the British Commonwealth Cemetery in Gaza City.

https://www.ww1cemeteries.com/isr-gaza-war-cemetery.html

Due to the conflict, the cemetery has been closed so this year, there was no Remembrance Service, laying of wreaths or blessing of the Graves.

At a special Requiem Mass held at St Augustine’s church and organised by the Old Augustinians (The Alumni of St Augustine’s College), Ursuline College Students gave up their time to remember those former pupils of the Ramsgate school who gave their lives in the two World Wars.

The students read the Roll of Honour and recited a prayer for Peace in the Middle East. They then told the story which they had researched, about the life and death of “COW” Wilson, before going on to lay a wreath at the Old Augustinians War Memorial where “COW” Wilson is listed.

Speaking on behalf of the Old Augustinians, their Chairman, Andrew Sharp said “the students were an absolute credit to the Ursuline College.  That today’s generation of students made the effort to reflect upon the sacrifice of those students from the past – and remember them, particularly given the current War in Gaza”

“In the absence of any Remembrance Service in Gaza City, the Ursuline Students made sure that Charles Oscar Wilson was Remembered.”

For further details, please contact the Chairman, Andrew Sharp on 07920 424990 or by email:  oldaugustinians@gmail.com.  For more information about the Old Augustinians, please visit our website www.oldaugustinians.org.uk