Operation: Scramble

Date: 24/25th March 1944 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit: No. 488 Squadron (motto: Ka ngarue ratau - 'We shake them')

Type: Mosquito NF.XII

Serial: HK222

Code: ME-?

Base: RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex

Location: North Sea

Pilot: F/O. Chisholm Martyn Wilson NZ/421128 RNZAF Age 20. Missing - believed killed

Nav: F/O. Alan William Wilson NZ/416568 RNZAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Scrambled at 22:55 hrs and whilst in pursuit of an enemy aircraft when they went missing north of Foreland at 02:00.

No trace of wreckage or the bodies of the 2 young New Zealanders.

Burial and personal details:

F/O. Chisholm Martyn Wilson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 263. Born on the 15th June 1923 at Auckland. Studied at Kings College Auckland prior to enlisting at Levin on the 08th February 1942. Trained initially at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 06th April 1942 and then with No. 1 Flying Training School 13th June 1942. Awarded pilots badge on the 02nd September 1942 and commissioned on the 28th November 1942.

Embarked for England on the 06th January 1943. Further training with No. 12 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit joining on the 13th April 1943. Trained on Beaufighters at 54 Operational Training Unit 12th June 1943. Joined 488 squadron on the 12th October 1943. Attached to 1530 Beam Approach Training Flight on the 16-22nd October 1943 flying the Oxford.

Son of Joseph Macartney Wilson and of Mary Louise Wilson (nee Elmbranch), of Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 489 flying hours logged and completed 17 operational sorties

Runnymede Memorial. Panel 263 (courtesy Ian Banks)

F/O. Alan William Wilson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 263. Born on the 17th February 1923 at Invercargill. Worked as an electrical engineer for Public Works Department district engineers prior to service. Served on the territorial army for 16 months. Enlisted at Levin on the as an airman pilot under training on the 30th November 1941. No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School 11th January 1942. Embarked for Canada on the 06th March 1942. No. 1 Service Flying Training School 13th April 1942. Pilot training terminated 10th May 1942 remastered as air observer on 19th August 1942. 6 Bomber Gunnery School 30th August 1942. No. 6 Air Observer School 25th October 1942. Then to No. 9 Air Observer School 26th January 1943. Air observer badge awarded on the and commissioned on the 19th March 1943.

Embarked for England on the 06th April 1943. No. 62 Operational Training Unit 25th May 1943. No. 54 Operational Training Unit 13th July 1943 flying on Beaufighters. Joined 488 squadron on the 12th October 1943.

Son of Charles David Wilson and of Olive Alice Catherine Wilson (nee Scott - died 03rd June 1971, age 74), of Cashmere, Christchurch, New Zealand. A total of 301 flying hours logged and completed 18 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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