LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Rex Kerslake WILSON DFM
Service No: 407088
Born: Adelaide SA, 11 September 1919
Enlisted in the RAAF: 27 May 1940
Unit: No. 3 Squadron
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Died: Air Operations (No. 3 Squadron Tomahawk aircraft AN457), Sidi Rezegh, Egypt, 9 December 1941, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Norman and Mary Emmeline Wilson, of Glen Osmond, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Column 246, Alamein Memorial, Egypt
Remembered: Panel 98, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
DFM Citation: “During the operation “Crusader” offensive, this airman participated in a operational sortie over the Sidi Rezegh area. His formation was attacked by a large force of enemy fighters, and in the ensuing combat Sergeant Wilson destroyed a Messerschmidt 110 and damaged another. He then engaged and shot down two enemy Army co-operation aircraft. This airman has destroyed eight hostile aircraft.” (London Gazette 20 January 1942)
Sergeant Wilson has five combat claims – 28 June 1941 Martin M-167; 25 November 1941 – Messerschmitt Bf110; 25 November 1941 – Fieseler Fi 156; 25 November 1941 – Fieseler Fi 156; and 1 December 1941 – Junkers Ju88.
On 9 December 1941, Tomahawk AN457 was one of 12 Tomahawks on an offensive patrol south of El Adem when 10 Me109Fs engaged the formation. One Tomahawk was shot down. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed, and another friendly aircraft was missing.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/178/244
Bibliography:
Brown, R. (Russell) Desert Warriors Australian P-40 Pilots at War in the Middle East and North Africa 1941-1943, Banner Books Maryborough QLD 4652, 2000