Australian-born John Wilson was employed as a driver working for JJ Craig Ltd of Auckland at the time of his enlistment in January 1916. He embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 9 May 1916, but was later posted to the 2nd Battalion Auckland Infantry Regiment. Private Wilson was killed in action on the Somme on 2nd October 1916, less than a week after joining his unit in the field. He has no known grave and his death is commemorated at the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Somme, France.

John Wilson's medals were sent to the Town Clerk Auckland City Council in 1923, as his legal next-of-kin, a stepson living in Onehunga at the time of John's enlistment, could not be located. The medals were presented to the Museum in 1927.