Archive List > British Army
Contributed by Christine Bassett
People in story: MAJOR ROY W. WILSON M.C.
Location of story: Burma
Background to story: Army
Article ID: A8059782
Contributed on: 27 December 2005
Major Roy W. Wilson, Burma
My father, Roy Wilfred Wilson, was born
16.09.1913 Hemel Hempstead, Herts. He died 13.03.2001 Bexleyheath, Kent. His civilian life and his lifetime hobby was as an Artist and during the war he made a number of sketches of his men and his friends. I have his sketches of the following: Lt. RJQ Ambrose, Dusty Miller 163 OCTU, Jack Obee, Ernie Sirett, Sgt Rose.
In 1939 he became a Fireman. Then later was in the ‘holding’ Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. In 1941 he was a 2/Lieut 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Spent six weeks in Northern Ireland. In 1941 he became Captain and Instructor of 166 OCTU, Douglas, Isle of Man, but was keen to join battle.
He volunteered to go to Burma with S.O.E., and subsequently, having parachuted into the Karen hills some 200 miles behind the Japanese lines, he carried out many dangerous missions. He operated with Major Turrall in the foothills east of Sittang. I have been given to understand that at one time my father was also parachuted into the jungle to to find and assist an injured Officer.
He was with Force 136 — BOMYA. WO373 and gained the M.C., awarded 07.11.1946 for Gallantry and Distinguished services with SACSEA Force.
He is mentioned a number of times in the book ‘Undercover in the Jungle’ by John Bowen, according to whom he was involved in several spectacular ambushes, but later his entire area was overrun and he had to go into hiding in the jungle, where he existed on shoots and roots, at one time watching whilst the Japanese looted his old camp.
In the book 'Jungle Diary' by Duncan Guthrie, Guthrie says that Captain Wilson, having jumped sometime in March 1945, approached him from the West, with some eighty mobile levies. Father told him that at first he had been with Turrall, but soon had a force of his own mobile levies. Guthrie says that Wilson had been doing a great job, moving around and attacking by surprise. He also mentions elephants loaded with ammunition and supplies for Wilson, who at that time was to the East.
Father spoke of the hills, the jungle, the monsoon, but mostly of his love and respect for the loyal Karen people in Burma. During his time there he had ministered to their needs from his own medical supplies and they built a medical hut next to his headquarters.
Saw Digay, an important Head Man, Thugi, of the Patado Village, about three miles from his H.Q. was a good friend to my father. His house was built of teak as opposed to most which were built of Bamboo. All houses were on stilts against wild animals and enemies. Digay and his sons owned eight elephants. His daughter, Naw Besay, a devout Christian, gave father a bible, which had been buried to hide it from the Japanese. The bible is inscribed: 'Given to Salweem Karen School, Papun, 7th Standard', and stamped with her name. At the back of the bible is inscribed 'Remember' Inside there is a photo of her husband who died from snake bite, 'Gone to Heaven'.
Their help was invaluable to the British and especially to my father during this terrible time. He himself suffered from malaria, and a perforated ear drum as a result of having to fly with an ear infection, for which he was treated at a hospital in Rangoon. Years later he suffered skin 'cancers' which he believed was as a result of living under the intense heat of sun at that time.
I believe, some time later, he accepted the surrender of the Japanese locally at a p.o.w. camp.
When he was leaving, the Karens gave a three day feast, music and dancing, in his honour as a fairwell.
Roy Wilson is also mentioned in the following books: Burma and the Karens, Campaign in Burma, in addition to Undercover in the Jungle by John Bowen and Jungle Diary by Duncan Guthrie,.
After the war he brought back a letter for the British Prime Minister, from the Karens, seeking help for their situation and begging to remain within the British Empire, despite the intention to give independence to Burma, however, unfortunately this was not forthcoming and father, feeling anger, guilt and embarrassment, ceased contact with his old friends, the Karens. In 1946 Father received the presentation of a book, 'Burma and the Karens', by Dr. San C. Po, CBE., with the following words: "Presented to Major Roy W. Wilson, M.C., of the Historical Force 136, by The Karen Good-Will Mission to U.K., in Remembrance of Burma's Salvation, worked out by Force 136 in conjunction with the Flower of Karen Manhood. London 26th October 1946" Three sigatures.
Names my father mentioned: Alexander Boal, Col. Chromaty Tullie, Neville Hogan, Alex Campbelle, Vicount Slim, Tamla Baw, Saw Digay, Jim Murray, Ian Abbey, Duncan Guthrie, Bob Barron, Hugh Howell, Major Seagrim (Grandfather Longlegs), Dr. Dewanji, Mike Henry (mentioned in The Rear Gunner), Spencer Chapman (The Jungle is Neutral). Major Turral.
Because he was with S.O.E., it is difficult to find any further information about his activities or the reason for his M.C. award.
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