Arnold Wilson

Sir Arnold Talbot Wilson KCIE CSI CMG DSO (18 July 1884 – 31 May 1940) was a British soldier, colonial administrator, Conservative politician, writer and editor. Wilson served under Percy Cox, the colonial administrator of Mesopotamia (Mandatory Iraq) during and after First World War, including an Iraqi revolt in 1920. Wilson was the first Member of Parliament to die in action in the Second World War. He was killed while serving as an aircrew member at the advanced age of 55.

For the British politician and solicitor, see Arnold Muir Wilson. For the New Zealand artist and educator, see Arnold Manaaki Wilson.

Sir

Arnold Wilson

KCIE CSI CMG DSO MP
Sir Arnold Wilson
Born(1884-07-18)18 July 1884
United Kingdom
Died31 May 1940(1940-05-31) (aged 55)
Near Eringhem, France
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
 British Indian Army
 Royal Air Force
Years of service1903–1921 (Army)
1939–1940 (Air Force)
RankLieutenant colonel (Army)
Pilot officer (Air Force)
Unit32nd Sikh Pioneers
No. 37 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsFirst World War
  • Middle Eastern theatre

Iraqi revolt of 1920
Second World War

AwardsDSO

In the 1930s, Wilson drew controversy for expressing support for Francisco Franco and sympathy for Nazi Germany, albeit he privately expressed disgust after visiting a concentration camp in 1936. During the war, he volunteered to fight, saying "I have no desire to shelter myself and live in safety behind the ramparts of the bodies of millions of our young men."

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