27653 Sergeant George Shine Wilson was a 32 year mechanical engineer originally from London, England when he attested into the 15th Battalion at Valcartier in September 1914. He was assigned to No. 2 Company, was wounded at 2nd Ypres in April 1915 and again in October on the Somme. Following Bombing and Stokes mortar courses at the Canadian Corps Training School, he rejoined the battalion in January 1917 and fought at Vimy in April.
The end of April 1915 found the 15th Battalion further east of the ground they had captured on April 9th in front of Arleux Wood overlooking the town of Willerval. No. 2 Company was forward and had conducted day light recce patrols of the German wire and was being relieved by No. 4 Company when German heavy artillery began to drop ranging rounds on their position. This was followed by an intense bombardment which lasted until midnight and the companies suffered a combined total of 29 casualties – 9 of which were fatal. All nine men including Sgt Wilson were killed in action during the heavy artillery bombardment at Arleux Wood on May 1, 1917. This was to be the battalion’s last day in the Vimy area.
NOK: Son of John Shine Wilson and Mary Wilson, of Trinidad, British West Indies.
