Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John was born on the 3rd November 1914, the elder son of William Francis and Hanna Stanley Wilson of Parkside. He had an older brother, Frank, and sister Audrey.
He attended Adelaide Pulteney Grammar School before enlisting to serve in WWII on the 19th September, 1940 at Wayville where he was allocated the number SX10269 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. While home on pre-embarkation leave, Jack, who then carried the title of Warrant Officer proposed to Betty Wilson, with the two becoming engaged on 26 October 1940, just prior to Jack’s 26th birthday but optimistically planning for their future post war.
Soon after, the large contingent of new enlistees embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn describes the conditions encountered on the 22nd August, ’41: ‘This was a particularly bad spot for fleas and dust. The slightest movement of air would stir up the fine powdered sand; whirlwinds would career along the escarpment and disappear somewhere in No Man’s Land. The shell-fire on this front was very consistent, but by no means as heavy as on the other positions on the salient. Warrant Officer Jack Wilson, Privates R. Adams and C.A. Braund were wounded in the first two days, but on the third the khamsin took over and reduced the visibility to such an extent that there was practically no activity on any front. Warrant Officer Wilson was first reported wounded in action in the September Chronicle, 1941.
Fifteen months later, 27-year-old, the now Lieutenant John Wilson was killed in action in Egypt, on the 15th July 1942 less than two years after he enlisted. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glenn describes that day which was marked by a fierce battle where 15 German transports had been destroyed but a sharp fight followed with a number of Germans killed before 32 surrendered. “Away to the left the sharp crack of small arms fire was heard; C Company was engaged. Two camouflaged trucks had broken off from the A Company attack and come to a halt out from C Company. A strong patrol under Lieutenant J.J. Wilson was ordered to investigate, and were moving in close when an enemy machine-gun opened up on them. Lieutenant Jack Wilson and Sergeant Prime Willmott who were well in the lead, were killed.”
His fellow soldiers in the 2/48th initially buried him in a desert grave and marked this with a simple cross embedded in a mound of white rocks. Both Jack and Prime were later buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery with Jack in plot A IV C 6, next to Prime. Later, a headstone was added to Jack’s grave bearing the inscription ‘He gave his life for us. A Memory that will last forever.’
Initially, Jack’s parents were advised that he had been wounded in that action in Egypt. The Advertiser of the 29th July ’42 also recounted that he had also previously been wounded in Tobruk, last September. Soon after, the Chronicle officially announced that Lieutenant Wilson was ‘Now reported killed in action’. His family and fiancé Betty Williams were devasted at the news.
Back Home, his school, Adelaide Pulteney Grammar commemorated his service on their Honour Board, with others who had served in both World Wars.

Private Peter M. Anderson SX7067 MM and Clarrie Bannister SX11792 continued to remember both Jack and Prime, as did the Willmott family, in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Thursday 15 July 1943, WILSON In memory of our nephew, Lieut John Joseph, killed in action in Egypt July 15, 1942. With so much to remember, how could we forget? Inserted by auntie Rene and auntie Grace. WILSON. —In loving memory of dear Jack, killed in action July 15. 1942. Time dulls the edge of grief, but memory turns back every leaf. —Ever remembered by his loved fiancé Betty. WILSON. —ln loving memory of our son. Lieut John, killed in action July 15. 1942. To have, to hold, and then to part, the saddest story of a mother's heart.—inserted by mother and father. WILSON. —In loving memory of our brother Jack killed in action in Egypt July 15. 1942. "Memories are treasures no one can steal, death is a wound no one can heal."—inserted by Frank and Audrey. WILSON. —In memory of my pal Lieut. Jack, 2nd AIF., lost his life on July 15. 1942. He died as he lived, everybody's friend. —inserted by Clarrie Bannister, AIF. (ret.) WILSON-WILLMOTT. —To the everlasting memory of Lt. Jack Wilson and Sgt. Prime Willmott. who fell at Tel El Eisa (Egypt) on July 15 1942. Grand fellows sadly missed. —inserted by Pte P M. Anderson, MM
Advertiser Saturday 15 July 1944, WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut-John, killed in El Alamein. July 15 1942 To have to hold, and then to part, the saddest story of a mother's heart. —inserted by loving father and mother. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John; killed in EI Alamein. July I5. 1942. Time dulls the edge of grief but memory turns back every leaf. —inserted by loving fiancé Betty. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John, killed in El Alamein. July 15. 1942. Always thoughtful, unselfish and kind, a beautiful memory left behind. — Ever remembered by his loving brother Frank. Audrey and Warren. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut John, killed in El Alamein. July I5. 1942. One of the dearest, one of the best, his beautiful memory is all I have left. —inserted by loving Aunty Grace.
Advertiser Monday 16 July 1945, WILSON. —In fond memory of Lieut. Jack, who paid the supreme sacrifice. July 15 1942. Well loved, you left your native land to give so freely, youth, strength, and life itself, and we who grieve with anguished hearts will pray he nobly died as nobly may we live. —Inserted by his sorrowing mother and father WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. Jack killed in action. July 15. 1942- Just a token, true and tender, to show, dear Jack, we still remember. —Ever remembered by Audrey, Frank and Warren. WILSON. —In memory of "Lieut. John, killed July I5. 1942. We hoped for his safe return, and longed to clasp his hand. God postponed that meeting, it will be in another land. —Always remembered by Aunty Grace.
Advertiser Saturday 14 July 1945, WILSON—WILLMOTT. In memory of Jack and Prime, killed In action, July 15, 1942. Only those who knew then realise the greatness of their sacrifice. — Always remembered by their pal Clarrie Bannister 2nd 48th AI.F. In honoured memory of our men who fell in the Tobruk and El Alamein campaigns. —2/43rd Bn. Women’s’ Club.
Advertiser Monday 15 July 1946, WILSON. —In loving memory of my friend Jack who gave his life on July 15, 1942. —Ever remembered by Clarrie. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John Wilson who was killed at El Alamein on July 15 1942. Many a lonely heartache, Often a silent tear, But always a beautiful memory of One we loved so dear. Ever remembered by mum and dad. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John, who gave his life at El Alamein on July 15 1942. Time dulls the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf. —Remembered always by Betty. WILSON. —In loving memory of my dearly loved nephew. Lieut John, who gave his life at El Alamein July 15. 1942. —Always remembered by auntie Grace.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 July 1947, WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John, who was killed at El Alamein. July 15, 1942. They say time heals all sorrows and helps us to forget. But time has only proved to us How much we miss you yet. —Inserted by his mother and father. WILSON. —In loving memory of my dearly loved nephew. Lieut. John, who fell at El Alamein. July 15. 1942. Lovingly remembered. —Inserted by his Auntie Grace. WILSON, Lieutenant John Joseph. killed in action. July 15. 1942. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him. —Ever remembered by Betty Williams. WILSON. SX10269.—In loving memory of Lieut. John Wilson, killed in action July 15, 1942. —Ever remembered by Audrey, Frank and family. WILSON. —In memory of my pal Jack, killed in action July 15, 1942, at El Alamein. —Ever remembered by Clarrie Bannister.
Advertiser Thursday 15 July 1948, WILSON. —In loving memory of our brother Lt. John Wilson, killed in action July 15, 1942. —Always remembered by Audrey, Frank and family. WILSON. —In memory of my pal Jack, killed in action July 15 1942. —Ever remembered by Clarrie. 2nd/ 48th Battalion. WILSON In loving memory of my dearly loved nephew. Lieut. John, who passed away at El Alamein. July 15. 1942. A beautiful life came to an end. —inserted by Auntie Grace. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John, who passed away at El Alamein. July I5 1942. The passing years can never change our thoughts of one we loved so dear. — Inserted by mum and dad.
Advertiser Friday 15 July 1949, WILSON. —In loving memory Lieut. John Wilson, who paid the supreme sacrifice. July 15. 1942.— Always remembered by Audrey, Frank and family. WILSON. - In loving memory of our dear son Lieut. John, who was killed in action. El Alamein. July 15. 1942. In a soldiers' grave in a foreign land. Lies one we loved so dear. A smiling face that didn't come home When they sounded the last all clear. —Inserted by his loving mother and father. WILSON dearly loved nephew, who was killed in action. El Alamein. July 15. 1942. He lives with us in memory still Not just today, but always will. —Lovingly remembered by his Aunty Grace.
Advertiser Saturday 15 July 1950, WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John Wilson, killed in action at El Alamein, July 15, 1942. Away in God's beautiful garden, Sheltered from sorrow and pain, One day when life's journey is over, We will meet you, dear Jack, again. —Always remembered by mother and father. WILSON. —In loving memory of Lieut. John, killed in action at El Alamein, July 15, 1942. He is ours to remember when others forget. —Lovingly remembered by his Aunty Grace. WILSON. —In fond and loving memory of Lieut. John Wilson, who paid the supreme sacrifice on July 15, 1942.—Always remembered by Audrey, Frank and family.
Advertiser Saturday 14 July 1951, WILSON. — In loving memory of our dear son Lieut. John, killed at El Alamein. July 15. 1942. There's a smile we'll always remember with a memory so precious and clear. — Inserted by mother and father. WILSON. — In loving memory of my dearly loved nephew. Lieut. John, killed at El Alamein. July I5. 1942. Loving thoughts today. —Inserted by Aunty Grace. WILSON. — In fond and loving memory of dear Jack, killed in action July 15. 1942. — Always remembered by Audrey. Frank and family.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.