Ian Arthur Wilson was born in Melbourne, son of Arthur George Wilson and his wife Ruby May (nee Wild.)

He was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne, where he demonstrated both academic excellence and sporting prowess. He gained honours in English, French, Physics and Chemistry and was awarded the Grand Prix of French Alliance of Victoria. He excelled at both rowing and tennis.

At that time Ian was numbered amongst the top twenty tennis players in the world. In a practice match he defeated Ken Rosewall, a player destined to become Australian, US and French Open Champion. Ian was approached by legendary coach Harry Hopman and invited to join the Australian squad - faced with a choice between the glamour and uncertainty of professional tennis and the rewards of a career in medicine. He chose the latter, having won a scholarship to Queens College. He completed his MBBS at Melbourne University in 1940. His first appointment was that of Physician to Outpatients at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

He married Beryl Rosalind Mackerlie in 1941 and they had two children - Faye Tris, nursing sister, and David Arthur, university administrator.

At the outbreak of World War II Ian enlisted in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and was appointed to the 10th Field Ambulance and despatched to New Guinea. He was promoted "in the field" to the rank of Major.

The war years saw Ian survive a number of harrowing experiences including direct armed combat with enemy soldiers and a bombing raid in the midst of performing major surgery. Ian contracted the debilitating scrub typhus and was returned to Australia having lost over half his body weight. His appearance was so drastically altered that on disembarking his wife failed to recognize him.

After a period of recuperation Ian returned to New Guinea for a second tour of duty. Towards the end of the war, he was posted to New Guinea Force Headquarters on the Atherton Tablelands where he held the rank of Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services/Hygiene. He also worked with tuberculosis patients at Bonegilla and was Resident Medical Officer at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

Having completed his wartime obligations, the family settled in Mansfield, Victoria where for two years he practised as a GP and Honorary Physician to Mansfield Hospital. He treated injured skiers from Mt.Buller with the observation that their fractures were as severe as any he had witnessed in wartime . Ian was required on many occasions to drive on icy mountain dirt roads to treat patients in isolated settlements. He became a familiar figure in his army greatcoat in the days when car heaters were unusual.

The next ten years were spent in solo practice in Northcote where he also held the position of Medical Officer of Health, City of Northcote. He then joined a group practice in Northcote for a further ten years. He spent the last twenty years of his working life in a group practice in West Brunswick.

After retirement to Frankston he was awarded Honorary Membership of the Australian Medical Association and the Medical Defence Association.

Ian had many interests and skills outside medicine. These included golf, classical music, freemasonry (he became Worshipful Master and Director of Ceremonies),woodworking, chess, international travel, photography and reading. Ian was Foundation President of the Northcote Camera Club and won numerous photographic competitions. His photographic displays were in great demand and he presented movie and slide shows of his world travels to benefit various charities and clubs.