John Wilson
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Date of Death: 16/10/1915
Regiment/Service: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5th Bn)
Cemetery: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Additional information: Son of John Wilson of 25 Rodger Drive, Rutherglen.
Rutherglen Lore information: Son of John Wilson, 25 Rodger Drive, Rutherglen.
Glasgow University information: John Wilson was born in Hamilton. His father, also John, was a solicitor. John was studying at the University of Glasgow in 1913-14 at the outbreak of war, following in his father’s footsteps studying in the Faculty of Law and taking classes in Forensic Medicine. While he attended university he stayed in. the heart of the West End of Glasgow at 128 Byres Road.
John was an active student and during his studies won prizes in his classes and joined the University’s Officer Training Corps. John would have attended meetings on campus at the Drill Hall at University Place.
In 1915 John saw service in the Gallipoli campaign, fighting at Achi Baba with the 5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. It was here on 12th July 1915 that the Allies made their sixth and final attempt to capture the important hill position, and sadly where Lieutenant John Wilson was wounded. He later died on the 16th October 1915 in hospital at Alexandria, Egypt.
John Wilson was a brave soldier who set an example to his men and was well-respected. John had worked with the 8th Corps Mortar Group in Gallipoli and after hearing of his death the Captain of the group, Captain A. Burrows, wrote a letter to the Officer Commanding the 5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders that read:
“The Dumesil (sic) Heavy Mortar Battery was heavily shelled. In spite of his being twice covered with debris and more or less buried by shells striking the parapet in front of hime, and one of his guns being put out of action, Mr Wilson continued to keep the other gun in action until the end of the operations in a most satisfactory manner. On his way back to camp he was again half buried by a shell, but arrive smiling, and told me that he was afraid the operations had been somewhat delayed as so much time of the men’s time was occupied in ‘digging him out’. It is needless to state the effect an example such as his had on his men. I am afraid his illness was somewhat exaggerated by his insistence in remaining duty as long as he could”.
1901 census information:
Address: Avon Cottage, Strathaven
Father: John (34) solicitor, born about 1867 in Hamilton.
Mother: Isabella (31) born about 1870 in Perth.
Self: John (6) born about 1895 in Hamilton.
Sister: Catherine Barclay (4) born about 1897 in Hamilton.
Newspaper transcript – Glasgow Student’s Death. Second-Lieutenant J. Wilson, 1/5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, has died of dysentry at Alexandria.
Lieutenant Wilson was wounded in Gallipoli on July 12, and returned there at the end of August. He was 19 years of age and was a son of Mr. John Wilson, of Messrs, G. w. Handasyde, Dick & Coy., of 30 Renfield Street, Glasgow.
He was educated at Shawlands Academy and Glasgow High School, and was about to sit for his first examination in medicine at Glasgow University when gazetted to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
He had been a member of the Officers’ Training Corps at the University. His promotion to the rank of lieutenant was notified since his death.
Also commemorated on the memorial at Rutherglen Old Parish Church, Shawlands Academy, Glasgow, Glasgow High School and Glasgow University.