Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant W. F. Wilson, Royal Navy, whose promising naval career was brought to an end with his tragic death in August 1921

1914-15 Star (Mate, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.N.); together with a 1914-15 Star (63111 Pnr. A. H. Wilson, R.E.) nearly extremely fine (4) £140-180

Walter Francis Wilson was born in Marylebone, London on 11 November 1884. He was educated aboard the training ship Arethusa before entering the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on Impregnable in August 1900. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class in May 1901 and promoted to Ordinary Seaman in November 1902 when on Canopus. Further promotions followed, becoming an Able Seaman in April 1904 when on London; Leading Seaman in October 1908 when on Jupiter, and Petty Officer in November 1912 when at Vernon. Wilson passed for Gunner in June 1910 and was promoted to that rank in November 1913. Appointed Mate on 1 August 1915, he served on the dreadnought battleship Neptune, October 1915-May 1917. As such, he served aboard the ship at the battle of Jutland, 31 May/1 June 1916, the vessel forming part of the 1st Battle Squadron. Leaving the ship in May 1917 due to sickness, the captain’s assessment of Wilson whilst aboard the Neptune was very complimentary, stating him to be ‘an extremely promising officer’. Recovering from his illness he then attended Torpedo and Pilotage courses, for which he gained 1st Class Certificates. Wilson was promoted to Acting Lieutenant (later confirmed) in January 1918 and was placed on the staff at Portsmouth, February 1918-April 1919. Further courses followed at Dolphin, April-June 1919; at the R.N. College, Greenwich, July-December 1919; Dryad Pilotage Course, January-March 1920; and Pembroke Gunnery and Torpedo Course, March-August 1920. He then served with the Naval Intelligence Allied Control Commission in Germany, August 1920-February 1921.

In the midst of what seemed a most promising Naval career, Wilson’s private life was suddenly shattered, when in January 1921, his wife died giving birth to their child. Suffering from acute depression, Lieutenant Wilson shot himself in Hadley Wood, North London, on 23 August 1921. The inquest found that he had committed ‘Suicide whilst of unsound mind’.

Sold with the Passports of Lieutenant W. F. Wilson and that of his wife (a Union of South Africa passport) - Miss Eva Jane Irene White; together with a quantity of copied research held in a folder, including Birth and Death Certificates; service papers; inquest papers etc.