More about John Cooper Wilson

John has no known grave but is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. He is listed as serving with both the 4th Black Watch and 23rd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps at the time of his death. John was an Observer on board an FE2b when he was killed in combat over Velu.

John Cooper Wilson   4th Black Watch – 23rd Squadron Royal Flying Corps

MONIFIETH SERGEANT WOUNDED IN FOUR PLACES.

Intimation has been received by Mrs Wilson, 12 Windsor Terrace, Monifieth, that her husband, Sergeant J. C. Wilson, of the 4th Black Watch, has received four wounds, one in the head and three in the back.  The message, however does not state the exact nature of the wounds.

Sergeant Wilson who has been connected with the Black Watch for about eleven years, was sergeant of the machine gun section.  In civil life Sergeant Wilson was employed as a clerk in Dundee.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 5th July 1915

DUNDEE CLERK WOUNDED AT THE FRONT.

Intimation has been received by Mrs Wilson, 12 Windsor Terrace, Monifieth, that her husband, Sergeant J. C. Wilson, 4th Black Watch, has received four wounds, one in the head and three in the back.  Sergeant Wilson who has been connected with the Black Watch for about eleven years, was attached to the machine gun section.  In civil life Sergeant Wilson was employed as a clerk in Dundee.

Dundee Courier 6th July 1915

COMMISSION FOR MONIFIETH SERGEANT.

Sergeant John Cooper Wilson, of the 4th Black Watch has been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.  Lieutenant Wilson, who resides at 12 Windsor Terrace, Monifieth, has been connected with the “Dundee’s Own,” Battalion for about twelve years.  Sergeant for the machine gun section, he went to the front with the battalion early this year, and had taken part in some of the fiercest fighting.  Early in July he was wounded in four places, and he is home recuperating.

Lieutenant Wilson, who in civil life is employed as a clerk in the city, is well known in shooting circles, being one of the crack shots of the “Fourth,” and also a prominent figure of the Monifieth Miniature Rifle Club.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 5th November 1915

MISSING MONIFIETH LIEUTENANT.

Mrs J. C. Wilson, Windsor Terrace, Monifieth, has received intimation that her husband, Lieut. Wilson, Black Watch, attached to the Royal Flying Corps, has been posted as missing.

As a sergeant in the Black Watch (Machine Gun Section) Lieut. Wilson went to France nearly two years ago.  He was severely wounded in one of the many battles in which this gallant regiment has been engaged.

For services in the field he was promoted to commissioned rank, being gazetted second-lieutenant in October last year.

Lieut. Wilson again left for the front at the beginning of this year, and a short time ago was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.  He was a foreman furrier with Mr George Cooper, Reform Street, Dundee, before entering upon active service.

Dundee Courier 25th October 1916

A report from the Record Office, Perth, has been received by Mrs J. C. Wilson, Windsor Terrace, Monifieth, stating that her husband, Second Lieutenant Wilson, has been posted as missing.  He had been at the front for nearly two years.  Previously he took an active part in the Territorials, holding the rank of sergeant in the Black Watch, with whom he was mobilised when war broke out.  He went to the front in the Machine Gun Section.  He was seriously wounded in one of the many engagements in which the gallant regiment took part.  For services in the field he was raised to commissioned rank, in October 1915.  Lieutenant Wilson was home for some time after recovering from his wounds, but left for the front at the beginning of this year.  A short time ago was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Previous to the war he was a foreman furrier with Mr George Cooper, Reform Street, Dundee, and has been resident in Monifieth for some years.  He has many friends in the burgh who will be anxious to have reassuring news concerning him.

Dundee Peoples Journal 28th October 1916

MISSING MONIFIETH OFFICER

Now Reported Killed.

The name of Lieutenant J. C. Wilson, Black Watch, attached to the Royal Flying Corps, who was posted as missing about two months ago, has now to be included in the list of heroes who have laid down their lives.

Confirmation of his death while in action was received this morning by his wife, who resides at Windsor Terrace, Monifieth.  Hopes were entertained that Lieutenant Wilson may have been a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, as information had been received that the pilot of the machine in which the missing officer was observer had been taken prisoner by the Germans.  A letter, however, came to hand to-day from the parents of the interned pilot that the machine was forced to land in the enemy lines, the observer being killed in mid-air.

The deceased officer was a Territorial in the Black Watch, and with the machine gun section of that gallant regiment was more than two years ago drafted over to France, where he was in the thick of the fighting which took place at the end of 1914.  He was severely wounded in one of the battles on the western front, and was promoted to commissioned rank for conspicuous services in the field, being gazetted second-lieutenant in October, 1915.  At the beginning of the present year he again left for the front, and shortly after was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.  He was well known in Territorial circles in Dundee and in the burgh of Monifieth, where he had resided for some time.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 14th December 1916

MONIFIETH OFFICER KILLED.

The name of Lieutenant J. C. Wilson, Black Watch, attached to the Royal Flying Corps, who was posted as missing

about two months ago, has now to be included in the list of heroes who have laid down their lives.

Confirmation of his death while in action was received this morning by his wife, who resides at Windsor Terrace, Monifieth.

Dundee Courier 15th December 1916