The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A A Wilsdon

Albert Alfred Wilsdon, of Bradford, Yorkshire was born on 22nd February 1910 and joined the RAF about 1929-30 as an Aircrafthand.

He married Nellie Leadenham in July 1937 in Thirsk, Yorkshire.

He later trained as a Air Gunner and joined 29 Squadron from HQ Bomber Command on 9th August 1940.

On the 24th Wilsdon was flying as gunner to P/O JRD Braham when they intercepted a Do17 over the Humber area. Braham drew alongside and Wilsdon fired long bursts until the Dornier caught fire and peeled away with its port engine alight. The enemy aircraft was claimed by the Humber anti-aircraft guns but Braham and Wilsdon were eventually credited with it.

On 19th December 1940 Wilsdon was in Blenheim L6612 which is believed to have hit a tree during low flying. It crashed two miles south-west of Digby airfield and Wilsdon and Sgt. E Jones, Sgt. S Stokoe and Sgt. IW Watkins were all killed.

Wilsdon is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Doncaster.