The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. D S Wilson

Douglas Strachan Wilson was born on 6th August 1909 in Aberdeen and was a Foundation Scholar at Fettes College.

He was awarded Aero certificate 10196 at Newcastle-on-Tyne Aero Club on 25th October 1931, his occupation was recorded as Salesman.

Wilson joined 610 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force in 1936 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, effective from 24th October 1936. He was authorised to wear his Pilot’s Flying Badge on 9th July 1937.

In the same year he married Mary Margaret Mure, only daughter of Col the Rev. J. Esslemont Adams, DSO, MC, DD, they went on to have one son.

Wilson transferred to Class 'A' of the Reserve on 7th December 1938 as a Flying Officer and was called to full-time service with the squadron on 26th August 1939.

He was posted from 610 Squadron to the Air Ministry on 26th September 1939 and joined the staff of the Inspector General. Wilson rejoined 610 Squadron, then at Gravesend, on 28th June 1940 from HQ BAFF.

He destroyed a Me109 on 25th July and another on 26th August, both in the Folkestone area.

Wilson was still serving with 610 on 22nd November 1940 when he was detached to RAF Woolsington.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Wing Commander.

Wilson died on 31st July 1985.

Above: 610 Squadron in late 1940

F/Lt. J Ellis

Sitting on wing: P/O JG Lecky, Sgt. HR Clarke, Sgt. LR Carter, F/O CH Bacon, P/O GGF Draper, P/O BW Brown, Sgt. AC Baker, Sgt. WJ Corbin, P/O WA Douglas, Sgt. FG Horner

Standing: P/O AE Davies, F/Lt. PG Lamb, Sgt. RF Hamlyn, F/O COJ Pegge, P/O DE Mileham, F/Lt. ILMcG Hallam, F/O PJ Davies-Cooke, F/Lt. SC Norris, F/Lt. EBB Smith, Sgt. J Murray, Sgt. P Ward-Smith, F/Lt. DS Wilson

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November 2018 - After promotion to Squadron Leader on 6th February 1943 Wilson was appointed Air ADC to Lord Louis Mountbatten (as he then was), Commander SE Asia, in India; he was reappointed to that position after a period of illness and preceded Mountbatten to Kandy to help establish the new Supreme Command HQ there. After retirement he worked for ICI and lived latterly in Stirlingshire.

Above additional research courtesy of Paul Hitchings.