Adrian Vincent Wilson (18 Jun 1928 - 22 Feb 2019)

In loving memory of Adrian Vincent Wilson who sadly passed away on 22nd February 2019

RAF Veteran & Lanc & Shack Boy

Adrian was born in New York Street, Rochdale to parents Eugenie and William on the 18th June 1928. He was the youngest of nine children having five brothers and three sisters

His older brothers decided he did not look like an Adrian when he was born but looked like a JIMMY after one of their friends. And so he was always known by the nephew and nieces on his side of the family as JIMMY, but to everyone else he was known as ADRIAN. He would answer to either. Jimmy was a practical joker and was always playing tricks on his brothers and sisters.

Adrian grew up in Manchester at Stanhorne Avenue, Crumpsall and was educated at Manchester High school for Boys – though he skived a few classes and forged his Mum’s name on sick notes! The local policeman in Didsbury collared him on a number of occasions with his satchel up his jumper pretending he had authority not to be at school!

He adored his Mum and always, even at the end of his life, talked about Eugenie Emma

Adrian’s early career involved him working in an Architect’s office in Manchester. Then, at nearly 18 years of age, he joined the Royal Air Force - on 27th May 1946 following in the footsteps of his elder brother John Charles who was killed on a bombing raid in WWII in 1943.

RAF Career: Lanc & Shack Boy

K4001588 W.O. (rtd) Adrian Vincent WILSON (Tug)

27th May 1946 to 6th September 1974

1946 - 1950 - Aircraft Mechanic/Fitter - RAF Compton Bassett, Cosford, Gutersloh, Henlow, Luneberg
1950 - 1951 - Pilot Training - RAF Jurby & Tern Hill
1951 - 1959 - Air Engineer & Instructor - RAF Kinloss, Luqa, Dishforth, Colerne - Lancasters, Shackletons & Hastings
1959 - 1967 - Admin - RAF Uxbridge, Dishforth, Finningley & Seletar
1967 - 1974 - Station Warrant Officer (SWO) - RAF Changi & Swinderby

On 1st September this year Adrian will be featured in a book called “Shack Boys Volume 2” by Steve Bond which features aircrew who flew on the Shackleton aircraft.

On a visit to the Newark Air Museum – on the 1st September last year, Adrian, dozing in his chair was woken by the noise of the Lancaster that he instantly reacted to – the roar of those Merlin engines so ingrained in his life.

The nose of the Shackleton in the museum unveiled another surprise that day – the plane’s number features in Adrian’s logbook and was complete with the actual chair he sat on – needless to say the staff there were very honoured to have met one of the very last surviving Lancaster and Shackleton aircrew.

When he left the RAF he went back to college and studied to be a Work Study Engineer doing Time & Motion studies and was employed by Lincolnshire County Council until he was medically retired at age of nearly 60 with ill health.

He met Daisy Eileen Adelaide Robertson (DEAR) a Scottish lassie, whilst he was at RAF Kinloss – and there were forever after devoted to each other. They married in Manchester on 18th November 1952 and had three children – Robert, Susan and Peter.

Robert married Marion and had 3 sons – his grandsons – Mark, Dean and Craig. Mark married Julie & has 2 daughters – his great granddaughters Daisy and Violet.

Adrian doted on all his family

A very creative man, he designed a record album cover for the Passing Out parade at RAF Swinderby and was a very keen photographer. Relatives will remember Adrian with his camera at all family gatherings snapping away! The Rocking Motorbike he made and painted for his first grandson Mark was indeed a masterpiece.

He loved to cook especially Asian cookery and was an expert with the wok, as well as more traditional recipes like his favourite Lancashire Black Pea soup.

He was a bit of a silver surfer on the internet and loved watching Manchester United, Formula 1 and MotoGp with Peter especially.

Adrian was larger than life in terms of his personality. Everyone who ever met him at any stage of his life loved and adored him. He loved to laugh and again everyone will remember his hearty laugh. He was simply the loveliest Daddy anyone could ever have.
The last years of his life were really tough for Adrian. He was devastated by the loss of Daisy in 2009 and then some of his close relatives. He had to undergo a major operation which was high risk and then developed vascular dementia 5 years ago. He was not a particularly active man, but as he declined with his dementia and lost the ability to walk and potter around his workshop, he was a little sad at times.

Peter cared for his dad for 10 years popping in most days and all weekends. Sue came back 5 years ago to live with him and provide hands on care for him round the clock. Peter also helped her at weekends with hands on care to give her a little break.

Last year the family celebrated his 90th Birthday at his home and relatives and friends came from all over to celebrate with him. He loved that and was so overwhelmed that so many people had bothered about him.

During the last week of his life he developed a bad chest infection and his diabetes had gone out of control. He had become very frail and his quality of life in the last 6 months was very poor indeed.

He died where he wanted to, at home, just like Daisy did.

We all love him so very much and will always do