22-05-2025
Family of Dundee Sea Cadets commander Bill Wylie MBE pay tribute one year after death
The family of Bill Wylie MBE, who was a former commanding officer of Dundee Sea Cadets for decades, have paid tribute to him a year after his death.
A service was recently held to mark the first anniversary of his passing aged 74.
It came as his mother Eliza died aged 103 just a few weeks ago on April 23.
Lieutenant Commander (SCC) W G Wylie MBE RNR was born in Perth on November 5 1949.
He attended Northern District, then Goodlyburn schools.
When he left school, he started an apprenticeship as an agricultural engineer.
From there, he moved to Harry Emslie as a sales rep.
He then worked in various motor parts companies the rest of his career until near retirement age.
Around this time he drove a minibus for Barnados, then as bakery deliverer for Wallace's.
The Sea Cadets played a huge role in Bill's life from a young age.
He joined Perth Sea Cadets at 12 years old, where he was a champion swimmer.
In 1970, he joined Dundee Sea Cadets as a Petty Officer (PO), where he was introduced to his wife, Myra, through her lifelong friend Irene.
They married in July 1973. Their only daughter Karen was born the following year.
Bill rose through the ranks with the Cadets, becoming Sub Lieutenant, Lieutenant, then Lieutenant Commander.
He held many positions, including CO of Dundee, District Officer, Area Boats Officer and Area Band Officer.
He was instrumental in starting the Dundee boat station, which originated in the old Cal Fab building in the docks.
When Bill joined, cadets were based on HMS Unicorn, before a unit was built in the grounds of HMS Camperdown.
In 2004, they moved to a purpose built unit, where it remains to this day.
Bill received an MBE for his long service to Sea Cadets in the 2006 Birthday Honours.
He was presented with this at Buckingham Palace from the then Prince Charles.
Bill also received the Captains Medal for 50 year's dedicated service to Sea Cadets.
Also presented was a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding service to The Sea Cadets and volunteers of Northern Area.
Other accolades included a Platinum Jubilee Certificate of Merit in June 2022.
Bill spent his whole life dedicated to the Sea Cadets, where he took the youngsters to numerous competitions within the UK and Ireland.
He even managed to acquire a 52 seater bus to take them to Germany, where the band attended various events in Ingolstadt.
Bill was also instrumental in forming the tri-service cadet band with the Army and air force cadets.
Following his death on May 6 2024, many Facebook tributes gave an insight into how Bill was instrumental in shaping a lot of their lives.
Dundee Sea Cadets said: 'Bill was a very well known member of the Sea Cadets and over his many years service held many roles at Unit, District and Area level.
'Over the years he helped many children to achieve and have adventures that they have stories and memories to remember for a lifetime.'
His wife Myra was also heavily involved with the cadets, starting the girls' section, becoming a CO herself.
Their daughter Karen also played in the band.
Bill is survived by his wife Myra, daughter Karen, son in law Frankie and grandsons Owen and Luca.
His sister Katherine lives in Perth Australia. His mother Eliza also lived there until her recent passing.
