Remembering World War II

Ervin (Erwin) Curtis Wilson Pilot Officer J/91188 207 (RAF) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force March 31, 1925 Springhill, Cumberland Co., NS February 16, 1943 Halifax, NS 17 5 feet, 7 inches Fair Blue Light Brown Single Cashier Presbyterian Georgina May Wilson (Mother) Springhill, Cumberland Co., NS October 16, 1944 19 Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England Panel 253 Commemorated on Page 480 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on October 13 Pilot Officer Ervin Curtis Wilson was the son of Thomas Alfred Wilson and Georgina May (O’Brine) Wilson of Springhill, NS. He was the brother of Douglas Alfred Wilson and Gerald Ernest Wilson. In 1942 he left school at the age of seventeen and was employed as a cashier at the Hyatt Restaurant and Hotel in Springhill, just prior to his enlistment. He served as an air cadet for one year while at school and played some hockey, softball, and baseball. Following his enlistment, Pilot Officer Wilson, served in Canada, including RCAF Station Yarmouth between May 19 and June 26, 1943. He also served at Halifax, Lachine, and Toronto before going overseas. He received his air gunner badge on October 29, 1943. Embarking Halifax on November 24, 1943 he disembarking in the United Kingdom on December 1, 1943. On July 12, 1944 he was transferred to 207 RAF Squadron. At 6:39 pm on October 15-16, 1944 Pilot Officer Wilson was one of seven crew on Lancaster BI (NG143) from Royal Air Force Station Spilsby, Lincolnshire a mine-laying operation in Danish waters. The aircraft failed to return to base and all were lost. The aircraft was observed going down in flames off Mariager Fjord at 9:30 pm. Crew of Lancaster BI (NG143): Denis William Ready (Flying Officer) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Isle of Man (age 22) Ervin Curtis Wilson (Flying Officer) Royal Canadian Air Force; Springhill, NS (age 19) Maurice Henry James Curtis (Flying Officer) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; London, UK (age 21) Daniel Charles Bermingham (Flying Officer) Royal Canadian Air Force; Montreal, Quebec (age 22) Richard Arthur Brumwell (Sergeant) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Montgomeryshire, Wales (age 21) Kenneth Leigh (Flying Officer) Royal Canadian Air Force; Hamilton, Ontario (age 23) Leslie Frank Payne (Flight Sergeant) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Warwickshire, UK (age 30) The seven crew members have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Ervin Curtis Wilson

Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial