[Terry Willson]

My father was a lieutenant with the British forces during the First World War and a sniping instructor in the Second. He once mentioned that he had had a narrow escape from a German sniper and I found this account amongst his papers following his death in 1966.

 

[Denny347]

WOW, a priceless find. Thankfully he was able to tell the tale later. Thanks for sharing. I always love this personal stuff.

 

[TW1Kell]

MAN! I got goose bumps reading that. I love personal accounts from real-life people. He sounds to have been both a remarkable person and a leader of real men, your Da. I offer a salute to him, and all of those who have gone before us in the Ways of Man. If you have more papers, please post them, and consider even having his works published. That was remarkable, Sir. (bows)

 

[longrangesniper]

Picture of Terry Willson's dad?

Terry
I have a picture of the 1st Snipers Special Course dated 18th Sept 1943, in the front row, second from right, is an older gentleman - Capt Willson, MC Royal Fusiliers. Would that be your dad? I'd be very interested in corresponding with you as I am trying to write a book on British Sniping.
Regards
Nigel Greenaway

 

[66rdster]

Wow, thats quite interesting. I also enjoy these personal accounts. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

 

[mike radford]

Very interesting. A couple of those fellows are not spring chickens. Looks like one of the snipers is a WW1 P14 scoped gun. Like the photo and the story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Terry Willson]

Nigel,
Its a small world! I also have that photo. Its caption is No 1 Snipers Refresher Course R.M.S.A.S. 11-09-43 -- 18-9-43, and I have several other photos taken during the same period including that same group on the basic sniping course. My father is in the front row second from the right. Second from the left is Lt-Col Armstrong. My mother took some of the photos in his book, Fieldcraft, Sniping & Intelligence of which I have an autographed copy. I also have one of the two telescopes which somehow came back from the war with my father!
Terry

 

[ken k]

if you folks have any personal accounts or stories can you post them here http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82 were open for business
thanks

 

[rickyracer2]

Very cool story.

 

[Terry Willson]

Two more photos from my father's career as a sniping instructor. Firstly, another group of trainee snipers with instructors. Secondly, early in the WW II he is training, according to the caption, in "Building Loopholes" (A hang-over from WW I practice) This photo was taken at Bisley and is dated July, 1940.

 

[RiverRaider68]

Terry---Tnx for posting the pics and the papers of your fathers close call. Very interesting reading.

Regards
Art

 

[JIMMY C]

Great story and photos!!

 

[DaWoof]

On the Receiving end!

Great story and pictures, but for some reason, the first page of the story is hard to see. Second page is great. anyone else have that problem?
Stronger glasses maybe?...

 

[albacore]

Great story! Thanks for posting this.

 

[capnduane]

Excellent post

Thanks Terry for the great pics, and story of your Dads close call. He looks like he was a very serious, dedicated soldier. We collect the rifles, its great to see some of the men who used them.

 

[hutch isle term]

met an ex marine ltc who had also survived a near thing with a jap sniper..this is a great story and you are lucky your dad had the foresight to put it in writing