Frederick Wilton

Second Lieutenant Frederick Charles Wilton (29 May 1892 – 7 July 1958) was a South African World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.

Early life and background Wilton was born to John and Sarah Wilton,

World War I In 1914 Wilton enlisted in the South African Army to serve in the South-West Africa Campaign. He was posted to an engineering unit, and was disappointed in that he never saw any combat. and was then posted to RAF Catterick for flight training. After only two hours and forty minutes of dual instruction he was flying solo. He was then trained to use his machine guns, in bombing, and aerial photography.

After two weeks leave in London in early October, Wilton returned to his squadron for further operations. On a raid on the Hirson railway station on 23 October his observer was wounded. On 30 October, west of Mons, Wilton and Gillis, destroyed two Fokker D.VII fighters, but was again his aircraft was badly shot up. By then Wilton had completed forty missions over enemy territory. He was keen to remain in the RAF post-war, but was sent back to England, and eventually released from military service.

List of aerial victories

Post-war career Wilton returned to Durban and resumed his job as an electrician, eventually becoming a successful electrical contractor. He married Maude Reilander, and had a son, John. During World War II Wilton joined the South African Air Force, but was disappointed in not being allowed to fly, but instead served in an administrative position. He died in Durban on 7 July 1958.