Wisharts in the Great War

Wisharts were involved in a wide variety of roles during the Great War. Many enlisted on the outbreak of war in 1914, whilst others formed part of the general conscription under the Military Service Act of 1916. Roles ranged from clerical workers, labourers and drivers to front line infantry and officer duties.

Being a predominantly Scottish surname, many Wisharts were attached to Scottish regiments, however there were also strong contingents from Canada, Australia and New Zealand – with several men also coming from South Africa and Tasmania. The number of American Wisharts who served overseas isn’t currently known. Several hundred filled in draft registration cards although not all would have seen service. Where identified, I have listed those who were known to have served with the American Expeditionary Force.

Of those that saw front line action, a number distinguished themselves in the field and were subsequently merited for their actions, some even had their heroic deeds reported widely in the press yet others weren’t so fortunate. One man, despite proving himself in the trenches and earning an unblemished service record, found himself court-martialled and executed at dawn for desertion.

Wisharts were not only confined to the land, a healthy number of men served with the Royal Navy and several eventually joined the Royal Flying Corps from the army (latterly the RAF).

Overall the vast majority of individuals probably came from very humble backgrounds and it seems very likely that engaging in service overseas would have been the first time they’d have left the immediate area in which they lived. Of the three to four hundred who were in the forces, about eighty didn’t return (excluding Americans).

To see a list of Wisharts with a particular forename please select one of the following buttons.