Born in Lancaster, c.1834
[RM: Research indicates his real name might be "William Flather", the son of Henry Flather, living in Hipperholme, Halifax, Yorkshire.]
[PB: This evidence includes an envelope addressed to "Henry Flather (father of the late Wilson Firth 11th Hussars)" (below), and a family memorial briefly recording the lives of the Flather family.
According to the memorial, William Flather's parents were Henry (born c. 1798, died 1856) and Ellen Flather (born c.1826, died 1896). Two sisters and a brother pre-deceased William, the eldest son. These were Susan, died 1833 aged 18 months; Sarah, died in infancy; Thomas, died 1845, aged 10 years 10 months.
"Also of WILLIAM, their eldest son, who died at Scutari Turkey March 3rd 1855, aged 22 years.
[PB: Census info. to be tidied up and completed.]
1841 Census
Henry Flather, M, 40-44.
Ellen Flather, F, 35-39.
Mary Flather, F, 14.
Anne Flather, F, 12.
William Flather, M, 8.
Thomas Flather, M, 6.
Elizabeth Flather, F, 4.
Jane Flather, F, 1.
John Medley, M, 15-19.
All born Yorkshire.
1851 Census
Henry Flather, Head, M, 52.
Eleanor Flather, Wife, F, 48.
William Flather, Son, M, 18.
Elizabeth Flather, Daughter, F, 14.
Jane Flather, Daughter, F, 11.
Henry Birkett Flather, Son, M, 9.
James Summers, Servant, M, 17, born Ireland, County Meath
All born Halifax, Yorkshire, except JS.
Enlisted at Liverpool on the 26th of November 1853.
Age: 19.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Clerk.
Severely wounded in action at Balaclava.
Sent to Scutari on the 4th of November 1854, and died there in March 1855.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol.
[RM: Medal and DNW Auction Sept 07 in box etc, see photo and family tree.]
Died, "of Febris" [PB: "Fever", but of what cause?], at Scutari on the 3rd of March 1855.
[PB: A memorial to the Flather family in Lightcliffe Churchyard includes William Flather, which appears to be the real name of Wilson Firth.]
[Dies the stone still exist? Is there a photograph?]
In March 2017, the EJBA was contacted by Bob Field, a distant cousin of William Flather. His personal genealogical researches had led him to believe William Flather may have fought and died in the Crimea as "Wilson Firth". He has created a web page at Wikitree: William Flather, with additional information.
