Mr Harry Wilson, Sorn Street, who was for 24 years a soldier and who served with the Paratroopers in the Second World War, died at his home on October 25th 1974. He was aged 66.
Holder of the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Palestine Medal, Harry was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs William Wilson of Cornmill Street, Catrine and after attending the local school he was employed for some time in the beetling department of the Bleaching Works. He joined the army at the age of 19 and served with the Black Watch and, later, the Border Regiment in India, Palestine, France, Germany, North Africa and Norway. He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force on the outbreak of the war and was amongst those who were evacuated from the beaches in the face of the German panzer thrust to the French coast. Later, with the airborne troops, he fought at Arnhem and took part in the final thrust into Germany where he served after the end of the war with the British Rhine Army. He was discharged as a sergeant in 1951.
For many years after leaving the army he worked as a storeman with Messrs Findlay of Mauchline and he retired owing to ill health some seven years ago.
Of a cheery and social nature, Harry had a large circle of friends in Catrine and district. He was a member of the Labour Club and of the Masonic Social Club.
The funeral was to Catrine Cemetery on Saturday and a large turnout of mourners testified to the high regard in which Mr Wilson was held by the community at large. Services were conducted by the Rev. J Dickson, Catrine Parish Church.
This was sent to me by Nesta Hume, his niece, who emigrated to Canada in the 60's.
I copied the above text from the scan of a paper clipping Nesta sent me. Probably the Cumnock Chronicle . In the picture opposite Harry is in the middle of the front row.