Captain John Carandini Wilson MiD
3rd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
3rd Battalion, AIF
by Robert Simpson
John Carandini Wilson was born in Brisbane on 5th January 1883. He was the eldest of three boys born to Robert Walker Wilson and Marie Emma Carandini. She was nine years younger than him. They were married on 11th March 1882 in Scott’s’ Church, Collins St., Melbourne. Robert was born in Scotland in 1854, the youngest son of John Wilson Esq. of Bannockburn, Scotland. He was noted as a wealthy Queensland squatter. Marie had been born in New Zealand in 1863. Marie’s parents had been married in Hobart. Her father was born in Italy and her mother in England. Marie was the youngest of nine children. John’s parents divorced in 1899 in Edinburgh. Marie obtained a decree of divorce against Robert as desertion had been proved. After visiting New Zealand he was cold and indifferent to her. His business then failed and he went to America. She last heard from him in 1894 and he was believed to be living somewhere in London or Scotland. Marie and the boys had moved to England by then. A couple of Australian newspapers gave details of John’s early life. He was educated at a couple of public schools in England, Hythe and Lancing.
After finishing his schooling he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers, according to the papers, but it may be an error. John Carandini Wilson, a Gentleman, was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 5th January 1900 as noted in the London Gazette page 8569 on 29th December 1899. He fought in the Boer War with the 3rd Battalion. They had been stationed in the Mediterranean for Garrison duty in 1900 and arrived at Malta on 12th January 1900 on the S.S. Matiana. 2nd Lieutenant Wilson is listed as one of the officers who embarked for Malta. They were quartered at Fort Manoel on arrival. During the year there they trained and moved around the island. The Regiment was sent a Farewell Order by the Colonel of Malta, praising their good conduct and soldier-like behaviour. On 2nd March 1901 the Battalion embarked on Transport Formosa to South Africa. John had been promoted to a Lieutenant on 22nd September 1900, as noted in the list of officers. The Battalion served in South Africa from 1901 to 1902 providing volunteer service companies. This was noted on the back of his Application for a Commission form for WW1. The Battalion dairy notes where they went and how the companies were used. The medal rolls for the 3rd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment for the Queens South Africa medal shows Lieutenant J C Wilson was entitled to the QSA with Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 clasps. He was not entitled to the King’s South Africa medal. The Battalion left South Africa from Port Elizabeth and arrived at Southampton on 14th March 1902. The diary also notes the work they did in South Africa. It includes those who were listed in the London Gazette.
He resigned his commission after the Boer War finished, and moved to the Canadian north-west to grow wheat. The venture did not pay, so after trying other means to earn a living, he took up professional journalism at Los Angeles. He worked in the Los Angeles Times and was there when strikers wrecked its office. He then moved to Australia, where he contributed stories and theatrical criticisms to the Sydney Mail. John later worked for the Sunday Times, filling the position of military correspondent and dramatic critic. The papers also note his “mother was one of the Carandini family, well known in Australian musical circles many years ago, when that family made a name for itself out here in grand opera”.
His father died in 1911 in England. Marie married Herbert Stokes in London in October 1899. Herbert passed away in 1927 and she received his probate of over 11000 pounds.
In October 1912 he departed London on the Orama for Brisbane and arrived there on 2nd December 1912.
John enlisted on 13th September 1914 as a 32 year old journalist from Chatsworth, Potts Point, Sydney. His religion was listed as Church of England. He was described as height 5 foot 9.75 inches tall, weight 12 stone 8 pounds, chest measurement 38.5-39.5 inches, and eyesight 6/6. It was stated he was educated at Bloxham College England and 2 N. S. at Worcester. His military qualifications were listed as late Lieutenant 3rd Royal North Lancashire Regiment, date of appointment 5th January 1900 to June 1902 and he was now not serving. He was single. As a 2nd Lieutenant he was posted to D Company 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade. It was one of the first infantry units raised for the AIF. He was promoted to Captain on 18th October 1914.
As part of the 3rd Infantry Battalion D Company, he embarked on HMAT Euripides A14 on 20th October 1914 from Sydney. They arrived at Egypt on 2nd December. The Battalion was part of the second and third waves in the ANZAC landings on 25th April 1915.
He was wounded at Gallipoli between 25th and 30th April 1915 with a perforating wound of the scalp. According to Bean, he was hit while exposing himself for a better view on MacLaurin’s Hill. It was on Monday night while he was observing through field glasses in a trench forward of Quinn’s Post while trying to find out who was on the right flank. He lay in the trench for 30 hours before he was taken out. He died of the effects of wounds received, on 21st May 1915 in No. 17 General Hospital at Alexandria. His records state it was a gun shot wound to the head. He was buried at Chatby Cemetery by Reverend A. V. C. Henderson.
His will, which was written on 20th January 1915, stated “In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to Edith Louise Nelson, Care Frank Drummond Esq., 36 Third Street. Bangor, Maine, U.S.A.” Who she is, and her relation to him, is not known. A note dated 26th May 1915 to Base Records advises that Captain Wilson, previously reported as dangerously wounded, had died of wounds on 23rd May and they were letting relatives, who reside in England, know directly. There was a list of his effects in a parcel and valise which were sent on 13th August 1915. A letter from Thomas Cook travel agents on 31st March 1916 concerning the effects noted that inside the case the address to deliver it to was different, being an F. G. Wilson, 108 Princess St. Port Melbourne as put by Cairo. There being another parcel for the same address, both were sent there. After not getting a receipt for the delivery and upon being contacted, the person returned his effects, stating he had no such relative. They were waiting on further instructions as what to do. Base Records then confirms the person as stated in his will to be the person to send the effects to.
A notice was sent to his brother on 1st December 1915 of an extract from the Army Corps Routine Orders for 29th June 1915 stating “153 COMPLEMENTARY. The Army Corps Commander has very much pleasure in publishing the name of the Junior Regimental Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.O’s and men, in the attached supplement, which have been brought to his notice for having performed various acts of conspicuous gallantry or valuable service during the period from 25th April to 5th May, 1915. He cordially thanks them for the good work they have performed, which more than ever testifies to their devotion to duty towards King and Country. His only regret is that they cannot all be rewarded. Captain J C Wilson (Died of wounds) 3rd Battalion.”
In a reply by Base Records to Walter on 20th March 1916 it states “he died in 17th General Hospital, Alexandria, on 21st May 1915, of wounds received in action at Gallipoli.”
On 7th April 1916 Walter was sent a note of his Mention in Despatches with the entry “In continuation of my Despatch of 26th August, 1915, I have the honour to submit herewith the additional name of Captain J. C. Wilson, 3rd. Battalion”.
A Medal Index Card records that Captain J C Wilson (killed) of the 3rd Battalion (New South Wales) Australian Infantry was Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette on 5th November 1915 on page 11002.
A letter from The Public Trustee on 22nd September 1916 asks for copy of his death details, his address prior to enlisting and the next of kin details. A reply on 2nd October has the certificate of death attached and his address and lists Captain W. C. Wilson as his next of kin. Why him and not Edith as stated in his will is not known.
Two Australian newspapers had a note on him saying, “Capt. John Carandini Wilson, reported dangerously wounded, had a most adventurous career”. They then go onto give an account as noted above. In Egypt he died of wounds on 21st May 1915.
He is listed in the Commonwealth War Graves 1914-1921 book in Index No. 6 Chatby War Memorial Cemetery with the following entry; “Wilson, Capt. John Carandini. 3rd. Bn. Australian Inf. Mentioned in Despatches. Son of Robert Walter and Marie Emma Wilson, of Glen Field, Bracknell, Berks, England. Born at Brisbane, Queensland. K. 20.” The cemetery is in Egypt.
On 22nd March 1919 Base Records posts to Walter the form of Commission for John as a temporary Lieutenant in the Regular Forces of the British Army. It notes that was his first appointment, not his latter rank. Walter also signs for his Mention in Despatches certificate on 3rd December 1923.
The youngest brother, Torrence Carandini Wilson, who was born 6th June 1888, enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 15th May 1903. His records are available, but have to be paid for to access. He was only in the navy for a few years and by 1910 he was in South Africa, where he was killed in a railway accident at Roodepoort on the 1st February. This was published in South Africa Magazine in the Domestic Announcements section under Deaths on 12th February 1910 and noted he was late of the R.N.
His other brother, Walter Carandini Wilson, served with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment during the war and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during and attack near Pietre Farm on 25th September, 1915”. He had been mentioned several times for gallantry and determination. From the War Diary it appears he was also gassed that day. Published in the London Gazette of 15th January 1907 under Line Battalions is noted; The Leicestershire Regiment, Lieutenant Walter Carandini Wilson, from 6th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, in succession to Lieutenant J. R. Rowan-Robinson, seconded. Walter played two Rugby Tests for England against Ireland and Scotland in 1907 as a winger. His Medal Index Card shows he was entitled to the D.S.O., M.C. 1914 Star with clasp and roses, British War and Victory medals and Emblems. In March 1919 he was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for valuable services rendered in connection with the War and he was to be an Officer of the Military Division. A Gazette entry on December 1920 shows he was awarded the Medaille d’Honneur avec Glaives “en Vermeil” by the President of the French Republic. According to his card he disembarked on 10th April 1914. After applying for them, his medals were sent to him in 1921 and the clasp and roses in 1925. His address was stated as H.Q. 2nd Div. Q. Branch, Staff college, Camberley. After the war Walter must have worked in the Civil Service as there is a document giving evidence of his age, showing his birth date and place; which was Teneriffe, Brisbane on 22nd June 1885. It appears he went on to work as Appointed Intelligence officer for Dublin District Division in May 1920 and in June had a temporary appointment as Chief of Special Branch in Dublin GSO1. While in that position he was in charge of the Carolan raid, where two officers were shot and killed. In the 1930’s he seemed to do a bit of travelling as he was on ships coming into England from different parts of the world. On 14th January 1941 he was granted the war substantive rank of Squadron Leader as noted in the London Gazette. Their mother died in 1945 and probate of over 22000 pounds went to Walter. Walter was appointed to the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem as a serving brother in January 1954 as recorded in the London Gazette. He appears in a couple of photos, one for his rugby days and another working with a digging party in a trench in WW1 and is listed numerous times in the London Gazette. Walter died on 12th April 1968.
Christopher Lee, a cousin to Walter was awarded the CBE in a Queen’s Birthday Honours List and said: “It’s unexpected and it’s an honour, but what pleases me most is that I’m the third member of my family to receive a CBE. The first was my cousin Group Captain Walter Wilson and the second was my niece, the actress Harriet Walter.” Christopher Lee was the great-grandson of Major Frank James Carandini, one of Maries’ brothers. He was originally named Francesco Giacomo but changed his name before joining the army in England. He was with the ranks in the 16th Lancers for seven years before gaining his commission in 1878 and then spent 13 years with the 8th Hussars during which he was involved with the Afghan War for which he received the Afghanistan Medal. He retired in 1895 as Adjutant with the rank of Major. He also served with the 12th and 5th Lancers, with whom he started and ended his army career respectively. As the eldest son, he inherited his father’s titles. His title of marquis was recognised by King George V for use in England. His titles were 11th Marquis of Sarzono and Cortogno, Count Carandini, Patrician of Modena and Noble of Bologna. His sword is owned by a collector.
Another brother, Victor, was an architect in Queensland until he became insolvent in 1891 and was then a patent agent until he was diagnosed with throat cancer in England and died in December 1897.
John’s grandfather, Jerome (Girolamo) Carandini came from Italy to Tasmania via England in the early 1840’s. A description of him was listed as “an Italian refugee nobleman, member of one of the first families in the north of Italy”. He married Maria in 1843. His life in Australia seems to have early setbacks of being insolvent, in Tasmania and also in New South Wales in 1844, 1848 and 1864. John’s grandmother was born Marie Burgess in 1826 at Brighton, England. Due to his ill health her father brought the family to Tasmania in 1833. From a young age she showed decided musical ability and possessed a voice of great power, range and sweetness. She began her public career in 1846 and continued for over 33 years. The family was not only noted for its singing ability in Australia and New Zealand, but also in Great Britain, where numerous newspaper articles were written about the family. In 1870 Jerome received an unconditional pardon from the Italian Government. He returned to Italy and died there shortly after. Some of their daughters sang with Maria and all were known for their singing voices. They did many shows in Australia and in other parts of the world.
His medals entitlement is Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal with Oak Leaf. Walter was sent the “Where the Australians Rest” pamphlet, Mention in Despatches certificate and the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
The Victory Medal is an original unnamed medal.
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women
whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the
Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.