Drummond Wilson
Drummond Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 February 1914 Kilmarnock, Scotland |
| Died | 11 April 1942 |
Matthew Drummond Henderson Wilson, also known as Jock, (6 February 1914 – 11 April 1942) was a British Royal Air Force pilot, who carried out raids on Brest and the Ruhr during the Second World War.
Early life and education
Drummond Wilson was born on 6 February 1914 in Kilmarnock, Scotland, to Matthew Wilson and his wife Elizabeth Davidson Wilson, who died in childbirth.[1][2][3] Wilson was raised by his father and received his early education at Cambusdoon, Ayreshire, followed by studies in Craig Park, Edinburgh, before training as a motor vehicle mechanic with Mssrs A&D Fraser back in Kilmarnock.[3]
Military career
One of his early co-pilots was Shivdev Singh.[4] He carried out raids on Brest and the Ruhr during the Second World War.[4]
Death and legacy
Wilson died on 11 April 1942 in an aircraft crash near Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, on his return flight from Essen in a damaged Short Stirling.[5] The crew managed to return to England, but during a night time go around at RAF Wyton, the aircraft stalled and crashed.[5] Two crew members were killed and six were injured.[5]
In 2017 an account of his flying career was published in the book Stirling to Essen (the Godmanchester Stirling).[1] In 2022 Godmanchester Town Council named a road after him.[1][5]
References
- ^ a b c Murphy, Oliver (10 July 2024). "War hero united with son after more than 80 years apart". The Hunts Post. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Wilson M - International Bomber Command Centre". losses.internationalbcc.co.uk. International Bomber Command Centre. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ a b Russell, Ian (1 August 2014). "Memorial Plan for Hero Pilot". Kilmarnock Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
- ^ a b Leivers, Roger (2017). Stirling to Essen: The Godmanchester Stirling : a Bomber Command Story of Courage and Tragedy. Fighting High. ISBN 978-0-9934152-8-9.
- ^ a b c d "Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I in Godmanchester: 2 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.