More about Francis Edward Wilson

Francis E Wilson was the son of Mr Arthur John Wilson and Mrs Sarah Jane Wilson of The Hamlet, Strensham, Worcestershire and was born in Bristol. He worked as a Chauffeur Mechanic and joined the Royal Naval Air Service in September 1917. He carried out his initial training at the Crystal Palace in South London and then at Fort Tregantle in Cornwall. His first draft was to the Dundee Sea Plane base at the Stannergate. On 01 April 1918 the RNAS was merged with the Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force and his service number became 237878. Francis Wilson was killed in a seaplane crash and explosion after plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant A Holland hit mast of ship on Eastern Wharf, Dundee. Holland and Air Mechanic 2nd Class Eli Marriott also killed. Observer Flight Lieutenant Atkins saved. He is buried in the Dundee Eastern Necropolis, Grave Reference OO 4 2. Francis Wilson is recorded in the Dundee Seamen’s Roll of Honour because Dundee is his last resting place and in the hope that Dundee men and women who died and or are buried elsewhere will be similarly recognized.

Captain Algernon Holland, 2nd Air Mechanic Francis Edward Wilson, 237878 and 2nd Air Mechanic Eli Marriott, 211911 were all killed and 2nd Lt F.I Atkins injured when their Curtiss H16 “Large America” Serial No N4070 Flying Boat struck a ships mast on the River Tay, crashed and burst into flames.

Francis E. Wilson   237878  Royal Air Force

FLYING ACCIDENT.

A disastrous flying accident occurred on the East Coast of Scotland on Saturday night, as the result of which three members of the Royal Air Force lost their lives, and a fourth was removed to hospital.  The victims of the unfortunate occurrence were :^__Captain Algernon Holland, the pilot; A.M. Fly Marriott, wireless telegraphist; and A.M. Francis E. Wilson, engineer, Lieutenant Atkins, the observer, is in hospital suffering from burns to the face and shock.  The widow and child of Captain Holland are at present residing in Broughty Ferry.

Shortly after six o’clock a machine while flying low was seen to fall in flames, while the noise of an explosion was heard in the vicinity.  The observer was seated some distance away from the point where the fire originated, and he either freed himself or was thrown into the water.  He was speedily rescued.  As a result of the mishap a fire was occasioned on board a steamer, and the Fire Brigade was summoned.  A considerable amount of damage was done.

Broughty Ferry Guide 27th September 1918