Admiral George Wilson was born in 1756 at his family’s estate of Redgrave Hall. He was slim and not very tall, his woollen tailed jacket is only 86cm (34") in size.

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Victorious admirals such as Nelson were hero worshiped. The aristocracy would move heaven and earth to find a berth for their sons on the ships of reputed officers, knowing that once their feet were on deck a great career could await them. Their exploits were revered in ballads, they were quite simply the heroes of their day.

 

Standard dress was introduced in the mid-1700s. At the officer’s expense, garments were created by the officers’ own tailors, to keep up with the latest fashions.

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Admiral Wilson's uniform consisted of:

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• Black silk cocked hat

• Tailed jacket of very dark maroon almost black wool, with cream lining

• Black breeches with cut steel buttons

• Embroidered satin waistcoat with embroidered flowers and self-covered buttons. Made from cream satin with a light tan fine cotton drill lining, all hand sewn. The silk embroidery is worked in long and short stitch for the main borders and pocket flaps. The design is floral with both flowers and leaf motifs. There is a solid brown border worked in satin stitch. Across the front panels are lines of embroidered sprigs. There are 10 different coloured threads used and there are 4 self-covered buttons with hand stitched buttonholes. At the back are two sets of woven ribbon ties - to allow a good fit

• Pair of garters, each made up of green silk rosette on black band

• Stock for neck with lace cravat

• Small sword with cut steel decoration on the hilt

• Pair of curved black shoe buckles with metal decoration, in original silk lined leather box

• Suspension strap for sword, two steel buckles from suspension strap for sword and wooden baton

  

Wilson became an admiral in 1809. He died at Redgrave Hall, Suffolk, on 6 March 1826 and was buried at Redgrave Church. He was regarded as a friendly gentleman and considered to be better equipped as a genial host than a man of war.

 

Wilson Point in Washington State USA, was named in his honour by Captain George Vancouver, who served under him on HMS Fame.