The Airmen's Stories - P/O R R Wilson

Robert Roy Wilson was born on 13th May 1920 in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents were Roy Hanford Wilson (1889-1956) and Ivy Kathleen Wilson (nee Clark 1898-1966).

Roy Hanford Wilson was from New Brunswick and had arrived in England in 1914 with the 46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was lucky to survive as the battalion sustained 91% casualties in its time in action, he was wounded in 1916 and was an influenza sufferer in 1918.

Ivy Clark was from London, England, she and Roy were married there in June 1919.

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By the time of Robert's birth they were settled in Moncton. He was educated at Edith Cavell and Moncton High Schools.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission in October 1938. His first posting was 4 E&RFTS Brough followed by 6 FTS Sutton Bridge.

Wilson was serving with 111 Squadron at the outbreak of war but was posted away.

He rejoined 111 Squadron at Digby on 23rd May 1940. Over Dunkirk on 2nd June Wilson destroyed a Me109 and damaged another.

His own aircraft was damaged and he made for home. Fumes forced him to bale out just short of the English coast and although the Hurricane went into the sea, he drifted inland and landed about one mile from Manston.

On 25th July Wilson claimed a Me109 destroyed.

He failed to return from combat with Me109s over Margate on 11th August and is presumed to have crashed into the sea in Hurricane P3595.

Wilson was 20. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 10.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.

He is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Moncton (below).

Above image courtesy of Jane Wood.