Keith and Ardin Wilson, members of Company B, One Hundred Thirty-third infantry, national guard, stationed at Camp Claiborne, La., are visiting their mother, Mrs. Julia Wilson, 439 Cherry street, and other relatives and friends here. They said they liked the army life at Camp Claiborne, and that food was good. Keith and Ardin will leave Monday to return to camp.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, July 4, 1941
THREE WATERLOO ‘BUDDIES’ NOW IN LONDON TOGETHER
Wilson Brothers, Ervin Mays Serve in Same Army Unit Overseas.
Three Waterloo men, who were buddies since childhood, grew up together in the same neighborhood and were in the Waterloo national guard, are now believed together in London, according to word received here by relatives, it was learned Saturday.
They are Sgt. Keith Wilson, his brother, Acting Sgt. Ardin Wilson, both of 439 Cherry street, and Ervin Mays, 304 Riehl street.
A cablegram was received Saturday by Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Mayes, parents of Ervin, saying that he was well and that he was in London.
ALSO IN LONDON.
Mrs. Virginia Searcy, 439 Cherry street, sister of the Wilson boys, said that her brothers, who grew up in the same neighborhood with Ervin Mays, are also believed to be in London.
“The last word I had received they were in Ireland,” she said, “but they are in the same company with Erwin and I presume they are all in London together, now.”
Keith and Ardin were members of the national guard here for many years. Their father, the late Arthur Wilson, was a member of the nation guard for 10 years. He served overseas. Both of their parents died within the past four years.
The Wilson boys wrote to their sister that it is green they year around where they were in Ireland, adding that “it ought to be as it rained all but six days” of the time they were there.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, March 15, 1942
Pvt. Francis Wilson, who has been stationed at Camp Polk, La., is home on a furlough visiting his sister, Mrs. Clarence Peters, 439 Cherry street.
His two brothers, Cpl. Ardin Wilson and Pvt. Keith Wilson, have been located in Africa for the past 15 months. Mrs. Peters received a letter from Ardin, the first she had in three months. Keith also wrote. Both have seen action, and both reported they were safe and well.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, April 14, 1943
WILSON WOUNDED.
Cpl. Ardin Wilson, 22, also of Waterloo, was wounded in action in north Africa on April 30, according to a telegram received Monday by his sister, Mrs. Clarence Peters, 439 Cherry street.
Corporal Wilson entered the Army with the national guard early in 1941. No details regarding the extent of his wounds were given in the message.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, May 24, 1943 (photo included)
WOUNDED CORPORAL MAKING RECOVERY
Cpl. Ardin Wilson, 23, who was wounded in action in north Africa on April 30, was reported to be making a normal recovery on May 16, according to word received here by his sister, Mrs. Clarence Peters, 439 Cherry street.
Mrs. Peters received the message from the adjutant general, Washington D. C. A form by which Mrs. Peters may send a radio message to Ardin was enclosed.
Corporal Wilson entered the army with the national guard early in 1941.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, June 3, 1943
WILSON BROTHERS BOTH RECOVERING FROM WAR WOUNDS
Mrs. Clarence Peters, 439 Cherry street, has received word that two of her brothers, Cpl. Ardin Wilson and Pvt. Keith Wilson, are recovering from wounds received in north Africa.
Cpl. Ardin Wilson has been returned to this county and is being treated at Winter general hospital, Topeka, Kan., for shrapnel wounds to his right hand and to his spine.
Ardin wrote a letter with his left hand and said “not to worry” and that he would try to get a rest leave from the hospital to come home. He told his sister in a telephone conversation that he had some medals to show when he gets home.
Pvt. Keith Wilson wrote that he is at a convalescent hospital in Africa.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, July 7, 1943
From Waterloo Courier we take the following item: Cpl. Ardin Wilson and Pvt. Keith Wilson are recovering from wounds received in North Africa. Cpl. Ardin Wilson has been returned to this country and is being treated at Winter general hospital, Topeka, Kansas , for shrapnel wounds to his right hand and to his spine. He told his sister in a telephone conversation that he has some medals to show when he gets home. Pvt. Keith Wilson wrote that he is at a convalescent hospital in Africa. The above mentioned boys are nephews of Henry and Walter
Garner and Mesdames S. H. Harrison and Fred Schrader.
Source: Oelwein Daily Register, Friday, July 16, 1943
Ardin Darr Wilson was born Feb. 26, 1920 to Arthur and Julia Garnier Wilson. He died June 21, 1981 and is buried in Violet Hill Cemetery, Dallas County, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
