"A Doctor's Sword": the service of an RAF Medical Officer in the Far East during WW2
Creators: name: Project Team, Their Finest Hour
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 430304
subject: British history
classificationCode: 430308
subject: European history (excl. British, classical Greek and Roman)
classificationCode: 430316
subject: International history

description: Story about contributor's father's experiences in WW2.John Anthony Clark Wilson (11th June 1918 - 7th May 2012) was born to Scottish parents and raised in Swiss Cottage, London.He was the 6th child of seven children - the son of a doctor, and he went on to become a doctor himself. Attended school in London at University College School, London.John attended medical school - Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh (also his father's alma mater &amp; family connections) when war broke out - medical students were encouraged to remain at university until they completed their studies. After graduating from medical school in July 1941, he joined the RAF, serving from 1942-46. His service in the RAF, 1942-1946 - first two years of service (1942-44) was spent in England - last two years (1944-46) was spent overseas in the Far East.His sister, 'Aunty' Jean Margaret Clark Wilson, served as a missionary nurse in Chegoria (now Kenya). On 12th February 1944, her ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine while en route to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). John served for four and a half (4 &amp; 1/2) years with RAF Medical Service, including a period of two years service in the Far East (India, Burma).November 1946: appointed as Senior Medical Officer, RAF Siam (Thailand), with rank of Squadron Leader - but did not take up this position due to demobilization (war ended, went back to civilian life).John went onto civilian life - married - had 3 children (Anne - eldest).He wrote poetry: of particular interest/significance. Before he passed away, he passed on poetry that he originally wrote during the war to his children (and grandchildren).Poetry: "Fragments from the War", written in 1945 in India &amp; Burma<br>- 3 fragments of poetry on 1 page (copy to be digitized)Anne's (daughter's) comment: although he didn't directly participate in combat (conflict) as he served in medical role - John was very exposed to injured people's suffering - he was deeply upset/impacted by what he witnessed.By reading the poetry, she thinks its evident that he thought he may not survive (aware of possibility he might not survive the war, at least).John was a man of very strong Christian faith until the very end of his life. His mother originally wished for him to become a Minister, but father steered him towards medicine (didn't think he could cope with being a minister because he stammered as a teenager. Instead emerged with a medical degree.Medicine/Church were prominent professions in his family history. He loved poetry and languages, and didn't take science subjects in the 6th form, but suddenly expected to become a doctor/study medicine when elder brother didn't want to - expectation on older son then fell to him, as the only other son).It makes a powerful impression for Anne: reading her father's wartime poetry, considering the deep impact it had on him.One large photo to be photographed:6th January 1946:As part of the condition of Japanese surrender - included Japanese force handing their swords to Allied counterparts with equivalent positions. Photo shows Anne's father receiving a sword from Japanese medical officer at the same rank. John was reluctant to take the sword (didn't want to) as he realized how humiliating it would have been for Japanese medical officer relinquishing his sword (and this medical officer had not been involved in violent combat), but he accepted this as part of protocol.John kept the Japanese sword in his study, and now in grandson's possession.