Archibald Wilson was born in Galston Ayrshire.

He had a long standing connection with Merseyside for he was educated at Liverpool University.

He started his career in the Police in 1909 when he was a Constable in Cardiff City Police and quickly rose to the rank of Inspector.

In 1928 he was appointed Chief Constable of Carlisle and in 1929 appointed Chief Constable of Plymouth. He was a keen ambulance worker and was admitted an officer of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in recognition of his work at Cardiff, Carlisle and Plymouth.

On January 28th 1932 he was appointed Chief Constable of Liverpool.

In September 1932 he ordered that Liverpool police officers must not smoke when in uniform, even if they were off duty. This was a reversion to a former practise, for some years Liverpool police officers had been permitted to smoke when off duty, there had been unfavourable criticism by the public who had seen policemen smoking.

In January 1934, he was awarded the King’s Police medal for distinguished service.

He resigned as Chief Constable on 1st. April 1940 and was succeeded by Herbert Winstanley then his Assistant Chief Constable.

Wilson died on 24th January 1962.