Henry J Wilson
Colonel Henry James Wilson (10 June 1904 – 26 March 1985), known as both Harry and Jock, worked at the London County and Westminster Bank before his military career. After the war, he worked on the War Office Commission reviewing sentences on war criminals. At this time, he was awarded an OBE. He retired in 1949 and pursued a new career as a farmer in Battle, East Sussex, and was later awarded a CBE for his services to agriculture. His successful career and advancement through the ranks are noteworthy.
1920s
Henry (Harry) Wilson enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment in 1923 and served throughout the inter-war years in the unit, which was part of the Territorial Army. It was allied to the Gordon Highlanders, who historically provided some of its permanent staff. Consequently, there was considerable personnel exchange during the Second World War.
1930s
He was promoted to Lieutenant on 18 April 1934 and then to Captain on 7 March 1936. He served in the ranks for some time before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, although the exact date is unknown. In April 1939, the Territorial Army was authorized to double in size, and consequently the original unit became 1st Battalion, London Scottish.[1]
1940s
By March 1940, Henry was put in charge of the regiment's Recruit Training Company at Folkestone with the rank of Major, and in April 1941 was posted to the 1st Battalion as second-in-command. This was followed in August 1941 by his appointment as battalion commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In early March 1943, Harry attended a Senior Officers Course at the Middle East Training Centre and did not rejoin his unit until early May. Meanwhile, Harry received the OBE for his services, announced in The London Gazette on 5 August 1943. He also had a brief leave in Egypt around this time. However, upon returning to Italy with his battalion, he contracted malaria and was evacuated on 26 October, not returning until 13 November and resuming command.
During this period, the 1st Battalion was constantly in action and, under Harry's command, saw the only Victoria Cross won by the Gordon Highlanders and the London Scottish during the war, awarded to Pte George Allan Mitchell for bravery on the night of 23/24 January 1944.
Shortly afterward, Harry left the 1st Battalion for a series of appointments with the Army Welfare Service, lasting from 9 February 1944 to 30 September 1949, first in Italy, then the Middle East, and finally the War Office in London. During this time, he was promoted to Colonel.
Appointments Achieved
- Lance Corporal - 1924
- Transport Sergeant - 1925
- 2nd Lieutenant - 1931
- Lieutenant - 1934
- Captain - 1936
Captain Harry Wilson has held every rank up to his present one. There are only three further ranks he can attain in the Scottish regiment.
— The London Scottish Regimental Gazette No 498 – June 1937.[2]
He subsequently achieved the ranks of:
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel[3]
Colonel Henry James Wilson was also awarded a CBE for services to agriculture.
References
- ↑ "Gordon Highlanders - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ↑ The London Scottish in the Second World War 1939–1945. C.N. Barclay. Published by William Clowes & Sons Ltd, London, UK. 1952.
- ↑ Gordon Highlanders World War 2 Army Lists
External links
- The London Scottish Regiment
- Forces War Records
- The Gordon Highlanders Museum
- THE LONDON SCOTTISH IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939–1945.
- Unit Histories
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