James Hourston Wilson M. C. ?

[fmackay]

I came across the following paragraph about James Wilson - does the last sentence mean he received the Military Cross?
If so I can't find any information about him receiving the award.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Record of War Service - University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919
Wilson, James Hourston
Stromness School, R.G.A.(Orkney) Student of Art and Science; MA 1913;BSc 1920;
O.T.C. Engineers, Oct 1912-14, Cadet R.E. (T), City of Dundee (Fortress), Sapper Oct 1914;
Sargeant March 1915; 2nd Lieut Aug 1917; Lieut Feb 1919; Acting Capt Jan 1919;
France May 1915-19, M.C. 1919

[AndrewP]

I am reasonably confident that he was the recipient of the Military Cross.

I've not found his medal papers, but on googling him, a couple of entries in the London Gazette show up. Did he enlist for service in the Second World War?

6th July 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... 8/data.pdf

6th July 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... 6/data.pdf

His temporary rank of second lieutenant appears in the London Gazette, dated 11 August 1917.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/iss ... 3/data.pdf

In The Scotsman of 9th July 1920, in an article titled "Honorary degrees in Divinity and Law", there is a sub-heading "Awards of Fellowships, Scholarships, Prizes, &c." in the Faculty of Science, "Two Vans Dunlop Scholarships in Engineering - John Robert Sarolea, B.Sc., and prox. acc., James Hourston Wilson, B.Sc., and William G. Black."

For info: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/teaching/edinbu ... cholarship

All the best,

AndrewP

[fmackay]

Good Morning Andrew

Thank you so much for the links - I was obviously not searching correctly!

I rechecked what I already had for this person and yes he did re enlist during the 2nd World War. The only other information I have is that he went out to Ceylon for a period of time and that he was a teacher.

Thanks again.

Fiona

[Currie]

Hello Fiona,

See London Gazette.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notice ... ge-size=10

1 Jan 1919; Awarded the Military Cross. (See list heading on p.23)
T. /2nd Lt. James Hourston Wilson, No. 9 Foreway Coy., R.E.

Alan

[fmackay]

Hi Allan

Many thanks for the links - how would I find out what he was awarded the Military Cross for?

Regards
Fiona

[Currie]

Hello Fiona,

The Military Cross award was in the New Year's Honours list. You can read about the list and about the M.C. here. http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/gallantry.html

“While many gallantry awards were made to recognise a specific act and were granted as an "immediate" award, large numbers were granted in the New Year's Honours and King's Birthday Honours lists. These awards tended to be in recognition of a period of sustained gallant performance rather than a single act, and many went to those men who were not in a position to carry out spectacular acts - the unsung men of the transport, artillery, medical and veterinary services, ordnance and engineering, for example.”

and

“All awards of the MC were announced in the London Gazette, usually with a citation, although awards made as part of the King's Birthday or New Year's honours were made for reasons of meritorious service and do not usually have a citation.”

James Hourston Wilson was in No. 9 Foreway Company of the R.E. you can read about what they did here. http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forum ... opic=81802

“Foreways replaced the title Tramways as a result of a re-organisation of transportation on the Western Front in 1917. It was a part of a newly created organisation known as Forward Transportation, which was formed to improve the supply of stores, ammuntion ect right into the front line. Foreway companies took the stores from the light railway up almost to the front line, by petrol driven tractors on a narrow guage line, where they would then distributed by various methods including ariel ropeways.”

Maybe someone at that Great War Forum would know if there is a war diary that covers the activities of the 9th Foreway Coy. and whether it is yet online.

Here's a National Archives guide to researching an officer in the British Army. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/reco ... er1913.htm However his WW2 records would still be held by the Ministry of Defence and perhaps his WW1 records are with them.

WW1 officers didn't have service numbers but you'll see his WW2 number (81538) in the Gazette entries for that war. If you search the Gazette in the WW2 period for that number you'll find four entries, but they are all R.A.F.? https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notice ... ge-size=10

All the best,
Alan

[fmackay]

Fantastic Alan
thanks once again - I will follow up the links you listed.

[crwhitton]

It looks as if he joined as a Pilot Officer for the Duration of the War in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch (Not a Pilot as such). Did you ever discover where he died? I have some information on his sisters deaths
His sister Freda'ss child Brenda Morven (or Morvern) Kemp died in Vancouver 2006.
Arrived 2-8-1930 on the Letitia at Montreal
1949 2082 West 47th Avenue Vancouver a Stenographer
1965 106 Vine Street,Vancouver

KEMP _ Brenda Morven July 30, 1924-May 17, 2006 It is with great sadness
that we announce the passing of our beloved Auntie Brenda. Predeceased by
father, George; mother, Beatrice; and brother, James. Brenda was a long time
employee of BC Hydro and a volunteer at Children's Hospital. Left to mourn
are sister-in-law, Eleanor; and her brother, Doug; nephews, Cameron (Kim),
Scott (Tess), Gregg (Elaine); and niece, Holly and her partner (Su). Also
her cherished great-nephews Jeff, Brian, David, Kyle, Spencer, Evan and
Brad, and great-niece Michaela. Also sharing in our sorrow is her lifelong
friend, Jessie. A Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held
on Friday, May 26, 2006 at Ryerson United Church, 2195 West 45th Avenue,
Vancouver at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the BC Cancer
Foundation would be greatly appreciated. The family would like to thank the
Doctors and Nurses of the A.C.E. Unit on the 11th floor of the Jimmy
Pattison Pavilion for their care, comfort and support during her last days.
"From our loving hands to yours, Lord."
Vancouver Sun on 5/23/2006.

and Brendas 1/2 brother son of Beatrice Wilson (Kemp) died in 2003. Beatrice died 1970 in Vancouver
KEMP _ James Hourston December 20, 1930 - September 1, 2003 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved James, husband of nearly 50 years to Eleanor. Father to Cameron (Kim), Scott (Tess), Gregg (Elaine) and Holly (Su). Grandpa to Jeffery, Michaela, Brian, David, Kyle, Spencer, Evan and Bradley. Also left to mourn his loss are, sister Brenda, brother-in-law Douglas and many dear relatives and friends. He fought the good fight with the heart of a lion and never a complaint, slipping peacefully away in his home in Richmond surrounded by his family on Monday, September 1, 2003. Born and raised in Vancouver, Jim attended Maple Grove, Point Grey and Magee schools. He joined Canadian Pacific Airlines in August, 1950 and enjoyed a rewarding career in the airline industry in a variety of different capacities until his retirement in 1987. He then spent time as a volunteer Green Coat at Vancouver International Airport and was an active member of the senior men's group at Country Meadows Golf Club. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held Monday, September 8,2003 at 2:30 pm at South Arm United Church at the corner of Number 3 Road and Steveston Highway in Richmond. In lieu of flowers a donation to the B.C. Cancer Foundation would be greatly appreciated. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Yun and the nurses at the Oncology Clinic at the Richmond Hospital for their ongoing care and support during the length of his illness and more recently Dr. Elena Nelson, Dr. Peter Quelch and the home care nurses for the comfort they provided. "From our loving hands to yours, Lord"

[fmackay]

Hi
Many thanks for the extra information on this family. All very useful

Cheers
Fiona