大象传媒

Introduction

This article is about Alan Haig Wilson from Scilly Banks, Cumberland (now Cumbria). Scilly Banks is a small village on the outskirts of Moresby Parks, situated between Whitehaven and Workington close to the West Cumbrian coast. Alan originally joined a Territorial Battalion of the Border Regiment before World War Two, served throughout the war, was discharged to the Wartime Reserve, and then signed up to the Royal Army Supply Corps (RASC) after the war.

Alan, who has now sadly passed away, was married to Mary (Mamie) Carruthers. Mamie also came from a Scilly Banks family. A sister of Mamie's, Betty Donnan (n茅e Elizabeth Carruthers), has kindly assisted me by providing some information about Alan's military service and the photograph that goes with this article. The terms of the 大象传媒 "People's War" website have been read and understood.

Alan's story

At the time of writing this article I have not had access to Alan's full service record. However, in March 1954, by which time Alan was a Sergeant serving in the RASC as part of the BAOR (British Army of the Occupation of the Rhineland), he has submitted a query about which date the Army regards his fulltime service as having begun. This is on a 'Service Career Proforma' and as it is in Alan's own hand and as it gives relevant service information, part of it is quoted here:

"I joined the Territorial Army in 1936 and served until 19.10.45. I was discharged to the W.T. Reserve (NB - Wartime Reserve) for 1 year 320 days. I joined up again on the 2.10.47 for 5 years. I re-enlisted on the 19.10.52 to complete 22 years ....".

With the Proforma, Alan has written he was enclosing his Wartime Discharge Certificate A.F. B108, issued by the Border Regiment.

Alan was born on 3 June 1918, so when the Second World War broke out in September 1939, Alan was 21 years old. From what I understand, Alan served with the 5th Battalion TA, the Border Regiment before and early in the war. He then saw service in the British Liberation Army in the latter part of the war, eventually reaching Germany. The photograph that goes with this article shows Alan and an army pal in Germany. As already mentioned, Alan then went on to serve with the British Army of the Occupation of the Rhineland after the war. By then Alan was T/21126397 Sergeant Alan H. Wilson RASC (Driver, Class BII).

Conclusion

So far as I am aware, a brother of Alan's by the name of Harry Wilson also served in the Army with him before and during the war. Harry lived at Bransty, Whitehaven after getting married. Unfortunately, I do not have any details of Harry's Service record.

I would like to thank Betty Donnan for her assistance in providing information about her brother-in-law Alan, and the loan of a photograph. Alan served in the wartime army as a driver, made it through to Germany. He then spent more time in Germany after signing up with the Army after the war.

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