Jack Wilson (Yorkshire cricketer) facts for kids
John Philip Wilson (born April 3, 1889 – died October 3, 1959) was an amazing English sportsman and war hero. He was a talented cricket player, a brave pilot during World War I, and even won the famous Grand National horse race in 1925. He received special awards for his courage, like the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross.
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Early Life
John Philip Wilson was born in April 1889 at Gilling Castle in Yorkshire, England. When he was older, he went to a famous school called Harrow School in London.
His Cricket Days
John loved playing cricket. He played for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club for the first time in August 1911. He played six matches for them that month! The next year, he played against teams visiting from South Africa and against Worcestershire. He also played against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). In total, he played nine first-class matches for Yorkshire.
His last two big cricket matches were just before World War I started. He played for a special team called H. D. G. Leveson-Gower's XI against university teams from Oxford and Cambridge.
John wasn't the highest scorer in cricket, but he did well. His best score was 36 runs in a game against Middlesex. He also managed to get one wicket, which means he got a player out. That player was J. W. Hitch, a famous all-rounder for Surrey and England. John also played for the Yorkshire Second XI and in other local cricket games.
A Brave Pilot in World War I
Quick facts for kids
John Philip Wilson
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Jack |
| Born | 3 April 1889 Gilling Castle, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 3 October 1959 (aged 70) Tickton, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Cross |
Just before World War I began, in June 1914, John earned his pilot's license. He learned to fly a Vickers biplane at a place called Brooklands.
When the war started, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service, which was part of the navy that flew planes. He quickly became a flight sub-lieutenant and then a flight lieutenant.
In April 1915, he showed great bravery. He attacked two German submarines that were docked in Zeebrugge with bombs, and his mission was successful. Later that summer, on June 7, he carried out a daring night attack. He flew to attack a Zeppelin shed (where airships were kept) near Brussels. For this incredibly brave mission, he and his co-pilot, J. S. Mills, were given the Distinguished Service Cross. This is a very important award for courage in battle.
John continued to rise through the ranks. By the end of 1916, he was a squadron commander. In 1917, he was also honored by Belgium, becoming a Chevalier of the Belgian Order of the Crown.
In April 1918, the Royal Naval Air Service joined with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to create the Royal Air Force. John became a major in this new air force. In January 1919, he received another important award, the Air Force Cross, for his excellent service. Soon after, in March 1919, he left the service because of health reasons, but he was allowed to keep his rank as a major.
Winning the Grand National
After the war, John kept playing club cricket, but he became famous for something new: horse racing! He became an amateur steeplechase jockey, which means he rode horses over fences in races.
He rode in more than 200 races and won many of them. He even competed in the famous Grand National race three times. In 1925, he achieved his biggest victory, winning the Grand National on a horse named Double Chance! This was a huge accomplishment.
John Philip Wilson passed away in October 1959 in Tickton, Beverley, England.
Family Life
In 1915, John married Louisa Harrison-Broadley. Louisa had an older sister who was married to Stanley Jackson. Stanley Jackson was a famous former England cricket captain. This meant that Stanley Jackson became John's brother-in-law!
