WILSON, Robinson Edward
| Service Number: | 413468 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 460 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Ariah Park New South Wales Australia , 8 June 1920 |
| Home Town: | Mirrool, Coolamon, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Bectric Public School, Mirrool Public School (1932-33) - Temora I.H.S. |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, North West Europe, 26 March 1943, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Mirrool Rob Wilson Story Plaque, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Temora St Andrews Presbyterian Memorial Window |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 413468, No. 2 Initial Training School Bradfield Park | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 413468 | |
| 2 Nov 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman | |
| 28 May 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 20 Oct 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 413468, Operational Training Units (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45, 19 Operational Training Unit (RAF) | |
| 28 Nov 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, Operational Training Units (RAF), 19 Operational Training Unit (RAF) | |
| 10 Mar 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 413468, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 26 Mar 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 413468, No. 460 Squadron (RAAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Edward Albert and Elizabeth Wilson, of Mirrool, New South Wales, Australia.
Robinson (Rob) Wilson was born in Ariah Park, New South Wales in June 1920. He first attended school at Bectric, before continuing at a school at Mirrool in 1928, when his parents Bert and Lizzie purchased 'Wahroonga Hill', Mirrool. He completed his education at Temora High, at Temora in NSW.
Rob began his Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) career at No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School, stationed at Temora in November, 1941, primarily flying Tiger Moth aircraft. By February 1942, Rob was stationed at Mallala, South Australia at No. 6 Service Flying Training School, flying Oxford and Arvo Anson aircraft.
By September 1942, Rob was stationed in Great Britain, where training continued as he graduated to larger aircraft such as Whitleys, Arvo Manchesters and finally Lancaster bombers.
On 12 March 1942, Rob flew his first operation as second pilot for 460 Squadron RAAF. Because of the very high attrition rate among pilots, Rob flew his second mission as first pilot, while still a Flight Sergeant. He and his crew of six never returned from the mission to Duisburg, Germany on the night of 25 March 1943. Rob was officially listed as missing on 26 March 1943 at the age of 22. Theirs was the only reported lost aircraft for that mission, with no indication of their fate.
Their names are recorded at Runnymeade War Memorial in England, overlooking the Thames, amongst the 20,000 Commonwealth airmen with no known resting place.
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