Major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

Grahame Wilson , also known as "The Phantom Major", is a retired

Rhodesian Army The Rhodesian Security Forces were the military forces of the Rhodesian government. The Rhodesian Security Forces consisted of a ground force (the Rhodesian Army), the Rhodesian Air Force, the British South Africa Police, and various personnel ...

officer who served as second-in-command of the

Rhodesian Special Air Service The Rhodesian Special Air Service or Rhodesian SAS was a Rhodesian special forces unit. It comprised: *C Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment (Malayan Emergency (1951–1953) *"C" Squadron (Rhodesian) Special Air Service (1961–1978) *1 (Rhodes ...

(SAS). He is the most decorated member of the Rhodesian Army.

Military career

Wilson served with the

Rhodesian African Rifles The Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) was a regiment of the Rhodesian Army. The ranks of the RAR were recruited from the black African population, although officers were generally from the white population. The regiment was formed in May 1940 in the ...

(RAR) before passing selection for the

(SAS) in July 1975. He commanded from January 1976February 1978 and was promoted to become second-in-command of the regiment from March 1978May 1980. He took command in 1980. Wilson's first decoration for valour was the BCR which was awarded on 07 Oct 1977 while he was still a Captain. His second, the SCR, was awarded on 13 April 1979 with Major Wilson in the 2IC post. Following Rhodesia's reconstitution and recognised independence as Zimbabwe in 1980, Wilson was awarded the

Grand Cross of Valour The Grand Cross of Valour was Rhodesia's highest military decoration, awarded for conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat. It was the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, which it replaced, and was formerly conferred on Rho ...

on 30 June 1980 while a Major and second-in-command. He was the second and final person to be awarded the honour after Chris Schulenburg, who received the award while serving with the

Selous Scouts The Selous Scouts was a special forces unit of the Rhodesian Army that operated during the Rhodesian Bush War from 1973 until the reconstitution of the country as Zimbabwe in 1980. It was mainly responsible for infiltrating the black majority p ...

. Wilson was awarded (WOC) on 18 April 1979. During Rhodesia's transition to Zimbabwe, Wilson obtained the rank of major and retired after serving as Officer Commanding SAS from April 1980 to the unit's disbandment in December that year. He delivered the final regimental address at Kabrit Barracks on 13 December 1980, before the final lowering of the colours. An account of the role of the SAS in the Rhodesian Bush War was authored by Wilson and Greg Mills, entitled ''Who Dares Loses: Assessing Rhodesia's Counter-Insurgency Experience''. Wilson was appointed as the President of the C-Squadron Rhodesian Special Air Service Association following the death of General

Peter Walls Lieutenant General George Peter Walls GLM DCD MBE (1927-201Walls: "We will make it work" Time magazine and CNN – 20 July 2010) was a Rhodesian soldier. He served as the Head of the Armed Forces of Rhodesia during the Rhodesian Bush War from ...

Awards

* * * * Wings on Chest

Post-war

Residing in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wilson is currently involved in business and conservation initiatives where he consults to various organisations. He is actively involved in efforts to rewild rare and endangered species and engage with community owned conservation projects in order to liberate sustainability out of protected areas in Southern and West Africa.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Grahame Rhodesian Special Air Service personnel Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Zimbabwean emigrants to South Africa