Eric Charles Twelves Wilson
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Eric Charles Twelves Wilson VC (born 2nd October 1912) is an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 27 years old, and an Acting Captain in the The East Surrey Regiment, British Army, attached to Somaliland Camel Corps during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
From 11 August to 15 August 1940 at Observation Hill in Somaliland (now Somalia), Captain Wilson kept a machine-gun post in action in spite of being wounded and suffering from malaria. Some of his guns were blown to pieces by the enemy's field artillery fire, and he himself was taken prisoner, but was freed later when Eritrea was conquered.
[edit] Further information
He is a living recipient. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He has the rare distinction of being personally awarded with his "posthumous" VC. At the time the award was made he was thought to be dead, but was in fact a POW in Ethiopia. After his return he went on to serve with the Long Range Desert Group.
[edit] The medal
Location not known.
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Captain E.C. Wilson in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
