The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W Wilson

William Wilson, from Blyth in Northumberland, was educated at Plessey Junior School and Forster Senior School there.

He was employed as a wood machinist when he joined the RAF in February 1939 as a Boy Entrant.

He later remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG. After completing his training he joined 235 Squadron at Bircham Newton on 13th July 1940. He flew his first operational sortie on that day, a convoy escort.

He was paired with F/O RJ Peacock, whose victories, all achieved in 1940, made him the first and only Coastal Command pilot to achieve ‘ace’ status in a Blenheim Mark IV Fighter.

The squadron was tasked with fighter-reconnaissance duties, flying from Detling and Bircham Newton. When the German invasion of the Low Countries began in May 1940, the squadron flew patrols over Holland and was later engaged in convoy protection and reconnaissance missions over the North Sea.

On 27th June 1940, operating from Thorney Island in Blenheim N3542 with P/O HK Wakefield aboard, a reconnaissance of the Zuider Zee resulted in the six Blenheims being engaged by Me109s. Peacock managed to shoot down one and shared in damaging another.

Only two Blenheims returned.

On 11th August Wilson was a member of the crew of a Blenheim, one of three from 235 Squadron, returning after escorting a reconnaissance Blenheim to the French coast. On the return flight they were attacked by two Me109s. One fighter was shot down and the other driven off by concentrated fire from the Blenheim gunners.

In another action on 18th August Wilson was involved in shooting down a Ju87. For these two actions, he was awarded the DFM (gazetted 22nd October 1940), the citation reading:

‘This airman has continually carried out the duties of Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in the aircraft flown by Flying Officer Peacock. He has at all times displayed the greatest coolness and has taken charge of the fire control for the rear gunners of his Section.

It is partly owing to his coolness in withholding fire up to the last second that his Section has been able to compete successfully when attacked by enemy fighters.’

Wilson was eighteen years old at the time and must be one of the youngest holders of the award.

On 19th November 1940 Wilson's flight went to RAF Aldergrove where it combined with a flight from 236 Squadron to reform 272 Squadron on the 21st.

Wilson flew his first sortie with 272 Squadron on 23rd November.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented but it is known that he survived the war.

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