Claude Melnot Wilson

Claude Melnot Wilson
Born 16 September 1898
Winnipeg, Canada
Died 14 October 1918
In the vicinity of Roulers, France
Dadizele New British Cemetery Dadizele, Belgium
Allegiance King George V of the British Empire
Service/branch Artillery; aviation
Rank Lieutenant
Unit No. 25 Squadron RFC/No. 25 Squadron RAF, No. 93 Squadron RFC/No. 93 Squadron RAF,
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Claude Melnot Wilson was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.[1]

Early life

Claude Melnot Wilson was the son of Margaret and Charles Hurst Wilson.[2][3]

Military service

Wilson transferred from artillery to the Royal Flying Corps, and was assigned to 29 Squadron on 4 May 1918. He used a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a for all his victories. He scored his first one on 22 July 1918, driving a Hannover observation plane down out of control. In August, Wilson tallied six more wins, starting with an Albatros reconnaissance plane destroyed in cooperation with fellow aces Arthur Reed and Henry Coyle Rath on the 8th. His final victory came on 18 September 1918. His victory roll included five enemy planes and an observation balloon destroyed, and two planes driven down out of control.[4]

Death in action

Wilson was killed in action near Roulers on 14 October 1918, and interred in the New British Cemetery in Dadizele, Belgium.[5][6][7]

Honors and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. Claude Melnot Wilson. (FRANCE)

Bold in attack, this officer never hesitates to join in an engagement with the enemy, regardless of their numerical superiority. On 18 August, with four other machines, he attacked a large hostile formation. Five enemy machines were destroyed, Lt. Wilson accounting for one. In all he has four machines and one balloon to his credit. Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918.[8]

Sources of information

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/wilson2.php Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  2. ↑ http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=163472 Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  3. ↑ http://wwii.ca/memorial/world-war-i/104967/lieutenant-claude-melnot-wilson/ Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  4. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/wilson2.php Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=163472 Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  6. ↑ http://wwii.ca/memorial/world-war-i/104967/lieutenant-claude-melnot-wilson/ Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  7. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/wilson2.php Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  8. ↑ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31046/supplements/14327 Retrieved 23 February 2010.

References