Archibald Wilson | |
|---|---|
| |
| In office 10 March 1977 – 1978 | |
| Prime Minister | Ian Smith |
| Preceded by | Roger Hawkins |
| Succeeded by | William Irvine |
| Member of theHouse of Assembly of Rhodesia for Arundel | |
| In office 30 July 1974 – 10 April 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Skeen |
| Succeeded by | Abolished |
| Member of theHouse of Assembly of Zimbabwe Rhodesia (White non-constituency member) | |
| In office 10 April 1979 – 11 December 1979 | |
| Senator of theSenate of Zimbabwe | |
| In office 11 February 1981 – July 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Douglas Hamilton Ritchie |
| Succeeded by | Esme Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 May 1921 |
| Died | 4 July 2014(2014-07-04) (aged 93) Pinjarra Hills, Queensland, Australia |
| Party | Rhodesian Front |
| Spouse | Lorna Alexandra Wilson (died 2008) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1939–1973 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands | RRAF Thornhill (1957–1959) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Rhodesian Bush War |
| Awards |         |
Air MarshalArchibald Oliver Garfield WilsonICD OBEDFC (USA) (28 May 1921 – 4 July 2014) was a Rhodesian fighter pilot who served in theRoyal Air Force duringWorld War II. He went on to become a senior commander and then Air Marshal in the Rhodesian Air Force in the 1960s and early 1970s. After retirement, he served two terms in the Rhodesian House of Assembly, in the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian Parliament in 1979, and then in the Zimbabwe Parliament in 1981–1982. He held severalcabinet portfolios prior to theInternal Settlement. He resigned in 1982 to emigrate, with his wife Lorna, to Australia's Gold Coast in 1982. He became a citizen of Australia in 1988.[1]
Wilson joined theSouthern Rhodesian Air Force in 1939.[1] He served inWorld War II as a pilot and then as Officer CommandingNo. 238 Squadron from 1943.[2] After the War he held command positions in Southern Rhodesian Air Force (later the Royal Rhodesian Air Force and the Rhodesian Air Force). From 10 June 1957 to 22 June 1959, he was commanding officer ofRRAF Thornhill.[3] Wilson was involved in directing the Rhodesian counter-insurgency operations inNyasaland,Zambia andRhodesia.
On 8 February 1969 Wilson was appointed Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force, receiving promotion to the rank ofAir vice-marshal. With Rhodesiabecoming a republic from 2 March 1970, Wilson oversaw various changes to the force and his role, including new ranks, ensign, roundel, and the renaming of the force from 8 August 1970 as the "Rhodesian Air Force" (RhAF). At the same time his office of Chief of the Air Staff was changed to Commander of the Air Force, and Wilson was promoted to the rank ofAir marshal.[4] In 1970–71 Wilson was involved in the development of the secretAlcora Exercise military alliance between Rhodesia,South Africa andPortugal.[5] On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the 1947 formation of the Southern Rhodesia Air Force in November 1972, Wilson announced: "Our Air Force will continue to fulfil its role with quiet efficiency and is ready and able to do its duty – come what may."[6]
After 32 years, Wilson retired from Air Force service on 15 April 1973, being the last remaining member of the original Southern Rhodesia Air Force and the last Chief of the Air Staff.[7] On his retirement he expressed a hopeful tone: "Terrorism in Rhodesia will probably get worse before it gets better but the security forces will win. Terrorism cannot win. It cannot achieve its aim."[7]
As a member ofIan Smith'sRhodesian Front, Wilson was elected to the House of Assembly as the member for Arundel at theRhodesian general election in 1974. He retained his seat during the1977 general election.[1]
After resigning from the Senate in July 1982, Wilson decided to emigrate with his wife Lorna to Australia in August 1982. Wilson and his family settled in theGold Coast region ofQueensland, receiving Australian citizenship on 25 October 1988. With his wife Lorna predeceasing him (27 July 1923 – 22 August 2008) when she died in Brisbane at age 85, Wilson spent his last few years in theRSL Care retirement community inPinjarra Hills until his death at the age of 93 on 4 July 2014.[8] He is buried with his wife inTamborine Mountain Cemetery.
| Award (Ribbon / Description) | Notes |
 Independence Commemorative Decoration (ICD) | 11 November 1970[9] |
 Order of the British Empire (OBE) | (OBE; Military Division)NY 1961[10] |
 1939–45 Star | |
 Italy Star | |
 Defence Medal (United Kingdom) | |
 War Medal 1939–1945 | |
 General Service Medal | |
 Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Squadron Leader Doug Whyte | Officer Commanding,RRAF Thornhill 1957–1959 | Succeeded by Group CaptainJohn Howard Deall |
| Preceded by Air Vice-MarshalHarold Hawkins | Chief of the Air Staff 1969–1970 | Office renamed |
| New title | Commander of the Rhodesian Air Force 1970–1973 | Succeeded by Air MarshalMick McLaren |
| House of Assembly of Rhodesia | ||
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forArundel 1974–1979 | Constituency abolished |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Posts 1977–1978 | Succeeded by |
| Minister of Roads and Road Traffic 1977–1978 | ||
| Minister of Transport and Power 1977–1978 | ||
| Parliament of Zimbabwe | ||
| Preceded by | Senator of theSenate of Zimbabwe 1981–1982 | Succeeded by |
