Eric Arundel Wilton
Major Eric Arundel Wilton (1892-1933)
1933 Obituary [1]
Major ERIC ARUNDEL WILTON, D.S.O., had practically completed an important invention in connexion with the mechanization of the Australian army, when he was killed in a motoring accident in Melbourne on 10th February 1932. He had been experimenting in field artillery traction and had devised a special trailer for the transport of field guns at high speeds over long distances. After his death the details of the design were completed and during its trials this gun carrier proved to be entirely successful.
Major Wilton was born at Hawthorn, Victoria, in 1892, and received his education at Kyneton Grammar School.
In 1911 he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he took a course in military engineering.
In 1914 he embarked for Gallipoli with the Australian Imperial Forces. He later served in France, returning to Australia in 1919. Major Wilton was then appointed instructor in signalling at the Royal Military College, and he also took charge of the workshop courses. Following staff reorganization in 1921, he became officer-in-charge of mechanical transport and instructor in mechanical engineering.
Five years later he was transferred to Melbourne as staff officer for mechanical transport and equipment and shortly afterwards came to England, where he spent over two years in studying the technical aspects of army mechanization, during which period he was attached to the War Office.
On his return to Australia in 1929, he commenced his experiments in field artillery traction, and investigated the possibilities of using certain types of motor cars as armoured cars. At the time of his death he held the position of chief inspector of mechanical vehicles.
He had been an Associate of the Institution since 1929.
1931/32 Obituary [2]
Eric Arundel Wilton was born in 1892, and matriculated at Melbourne University, receiving his technical education at Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he graduated in 1914.
After serving in the Australian Expeditionary Force during the whole of the War, he was appointed Instructor at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He then received an appointment as Staff Officer at the Australian M.T. Headquarters, and in 1926 was sent to England for two years special M.T. training at Aldershot and Farnborough, and in the shops of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.
On returning to Australia he was appointed Technical Officer in charge of Mechanization for the Australian Army.
He was killed in a motor accident on 10th February, 1932, at the age of 39.
He was elected a Member of the Institution in 1928.