Group Captain Hugh J Wilson OMT (1918)
Enquiries to the archive often open our eyes to the achievements of former pupils about whom we know very little.
In the summer of 2023, we were approached by Bart Vandamme, President of the Flanders Aviation Society to enquire about Hugh J Wilson. Wilson attended Merchant Taylors’ School in 1918 before moving on to City of London School. Nevertheless, he remained in touch with the Old Merchant Taylors’ Society and the Taylorian recorded him as The school magazine lists him as serving with A/Group Cap't, RAF and the winner of a CBE in the Birthday Honours of 1946. He was listed as marrying Mrs Moira Sergeant on February 22nd, 1947 in London, "quietly" as group captain. A son was born on August 19th 1949, at Newlands House, London, SW17
However, his modesty probably led to him not sharing the full details of a remarkable career. Instead it was Bart Vandamme who alerted us to Wilson’s role in breaking the air speed record in 1946 when he flew a Gloucester Meteor jet fighter at a speed in excess of 600 mph, the first man to travel at such speed. Wilson had joined the Air Force in 1929 and served for five years before transferring to the Reserve Air Force Officers List, where he subsequently qualified in flying boats as well as acting as an instructor. It was at this time that he also became a test pilot for Blackburn Aircraft Ltd and a civil test pilot at the Royal Aircraft.
Wilson in cockpit of prototype Blackburn Roc fighter, May 1939
When war broke out in 1939 he was recalled to active duty and fought in the battle of Britain with 74 squadron out of Biggin Hill. In 1941 he returned to Farnborough with the task of testing all captured enemy aircraft, ending the war as Wing Commander in August, 1945.
On 7th November 1945 flew a Gloster Meteor F Mk.IV, EE454, to 975.68 kilometers per hour (606.26 miles per hour)—0.80 Mach—at an altitude of 75 meters (246) above Sea Level. To gain the record involved making four passes over a 3 kilometer course, two runs in each direction at or below 75 meters altitude. Wilson made four passes over the course. His speeds for each run were 604, 608, 602 and 611 miles per hour. This did not come without peril as post flight inspections revealed the engine intakes had been distorted by the intense pressure during the speed runs.
Gloster Meteor Mk.IV EE455
Pathe news recorded the successful attempt and the film can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/6kzX2OzlYLk?si=6Dqs28eKPQDXPdEp
Wing Commander Wilson was named Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in the King’s Birthday Honours List, 13 June 1946 and retired from the Air Force in 1948 with the rank of Group Captain. He died, aged 82, in 1990. Perhaps he goes down as the fastest Old Merchant Taylor?
References:
https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/crou-captain-hugh-joseph-wilson-cbe-afc-and-two-bars/
https://youtu.be/6kzX2OzlYLk?si=UqwlbCxIdZ7VWcVd