Robert Gerald Hamilton Wilson DSO MC OBE

Robert Wilson had served in the First World War in the Kings African Rifles, largely in the East African Campaign. This was a particularly terrible campaign with more than twice as many of the British troops dying from diseases such as Malaraia as were killed in combat. While the mortality rate of 9% of troops was similar for British and African men, with over 1 million African carriers conscripted, the campaign saw the death of 13% of the Kenyan male population. There were further casualties in Portugese, Belgian and German forces of simlar or greater magnitude. The effect on East Africa was devasting as depopulation coupled with failure of the rains led to a famine which killed many more and left the population vulnerable to the Flu Pandemic which arrived in September 1918. It is estimated that 160 to 200,000 more people died from the flu in addition.

Before the Second World War he was living in Africa and returned there after the war as well. He died in Africa in 1968.

His mother died in Marnhull on 4th August 1943. His letters to the Commander of the Motcombe Home Guard are sent from her address in 1941. The Nominal Roll address given here is for his brother's house, where he presumably moved after his mother's house was sold.