Sudan Campaign Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Norfolk, England, he was the son of Rear Admiral George Knyvet Wilson and nephew of Major General Sir Archidale Wilson. He was a career Royal Navy officer who saw in action during the Crimean War (1854-56), the China War (1858) and the Egyptian Campaign (1882). While serving as a Captain on the staff of Rear Admiral Sir William Hewett, at the Battle of El-Teb, Sudan, February 29, 1884, during the advance to the right half battery, many of the stationed officers were mortally wounded. As the Arabs charged out on the corner of the square dragging the Gardner gun, Captain Wilson serving as an observer, then sprang to the front. He engaged in single combat with some of the enemy, protecting this detachment till some men of the York and Lancaster Regiment came to his assistance with their bayonets. Captain Wilson was wounded but remained with the battery during the day until the position was secure. For gallantry in the face of the enmy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral Sir George Phipps-Hornby, at Portsmouth, on June 6, 1884. Remaining in the Royal Navy, he retired as Admiral First Sea Lord in 1911, was Knighted and received the Order of Merit in 1912. He died at age 79 in Swaffham, England.
Sudan Campaign Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Norfolk, England, he was the son of Rear Admiral George Knyvet Wilson and nephew of Major General Sir Archidale Wilson. He was a career Royal Navy officer who saw in action during the Crimean War (1854-56), the China War (1858) and the Egyptian Campaign (1882). While serving as a Captain on the staff of Rear Admiral Sir William Hewett, at the Battle of El-Teb, Sudan, February 29, 1884, during the advance to the right half battery, many of the stationed officers were mortally wounded. As the Arabs charged out on the corner of the square dragging the Gardner gun, Captain Wilson serving as an observer, then sprang to the front. He engaged in single combat with some of the enemy, protecting this detachment till some men of the York and Lancaster Regiment came to his assistance with their bayonets. Captain Wilson was wounded but remained with the battery during the day until the position was secure. For gallantry in the face of the enmy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral Sir George Phipps-Hornby, at Portsmouth, on June 6, 1884. Remaining in the Royal Navy, he retired as Admiral First Sea Lord in 1911, was Knighted and received the Order of Merit in 1912. He died at age 79 in Swaffham, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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