Uncle Harold's Biography, written by Leonard Saunders

Harold Wilson

Harold Wilson was born August 23, 1914 (A First World War baby). Harold was born in Berwick, Ontario about 35 kilometers from Ottawa. When his father went to serve in the armed force overseas, Harold and his mom moved to Ottawa.

War Years
Harold joined the armed forces and received his inoculations and in less than two weeks was on the high seas. He joined the Army Service Core. Their responsibility was to provide the armed forces with rations and coal. They took the rations to the regiments.

He worked in demolitions in London after the Blitz pulling people from the wreckages in East London. The service core became the core of Petrol Park giving gas to the regiments. Harold worked for the Service Core until 1942 at which time he was posted to the Black Watch.

Harold was posted to Army Public Relations where he was responsible for all releases pertaining to the armed forces, which were published in the Canadian Press. The paper published what was happening in Canada and what was happening anywhere the Canadian Forces were involved. The men needed to know how the war was going.

He went into France D plus 21 (twenty-one days after D-day). D-day marked the beginning of the Allied offensive. Harold’s tour carried him through France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

After serving overseas for five years three and ½ months Harold was sent back to Canada on rotational leave. He was posted to Army Public Relations. Records were kept of those who had been wounded or had died and releases to notify next of kin were issued.

At this time he met Ruby Jackson who was a corporal and later a flight sergeant. Harold was also a corporal but on his return to Canada became a sergeant.

Harold Wilson and Ruby Jackson were married January 18, 1946 before being discharged from the service. Ruby at this time was a registered member of the Royal Canadian Air force Women’s Division and was stationed in Ottawa.
See Ruby’s biography for the rest of the story.