John Wilson was born in Oil Springs, Ontario, on January 27, 1893, the son of John Wilson (an oil operator) and Dinah Jane (nee Smith) Wilson, of Oil Springs, Ontario. His siblings included sister Mina (born 1895) and William Allan (born 1898). His brother William would also serve and survive World War I, as a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry. John, a bachelor, enlisted in Sarnia on January 27, 1915 and listed his occupation as a labourer. He also recorded that he had prior military experience in the 27th Regiment. John would become a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 1st Battalion, Number 3 Company, with the rank of Private. On May 19, 1916, John would lose his life while fighting in Belgium and would officially be listed as, Killed in Action. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. Twenty-three year old John Wilson is buried in Chester Farm Cemetery, Belgium, Grave II.A.3 and his name is also inscribed on the Oil Spring’s Memorial in the Town of Oil Springs.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G