Corporal John Wilkinson

Military Medal

Service Number: 10066

1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment

Killed in Action 1st July 1916, aged 26

Son of Thomas Wilkinson

Husband of Elizabeth Ellen Wilkinson, 25 Ivy Street, Burnley

From the Burnley Express dated 12th July 1918: DID HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY.  Burnley Medallist Killed

Official notice was received on Thursday of the death of Corpl. John Wilkinson (10066), of the East Lancashire Regt., the report stating that he was killed in action on July 1st.  His relatives, however, had received the news earlier through a chum of the deceased soldier, who had sent the following letter: - "Dear Mr. Wilkinson - I write this letter under painful circumstances, as your son John was killed early this morming, (July 1st).  He was buried by a shell.  I was not near him at the time.  I was on a different post, and I had just been on a message.  When I arrived back at the post, one of the men told me.  I can tell you, it came as a big shock, as we had always been the best of chums since he came to us.  I went down to his post but they had taken him to battalion headquarters, so I went down to see him.  He will be buried in a small Cemetery.  I may say that you can rest content he will be buried in the proper way.  I don't think there was an N.C.O. more liked by the men than John.  He always proved himself a good soldier, and always did his duty fearlessly.  We feel we have lost a chum as well as one of the best N.C.O's in the battalion, being well liked by officer's, N.C.O's and men.  I may say he suffered no pain, being killed instantaneously.  We all send our deepest sympathy to his wife.  I hope God will give you all strength to bear this sad bereavement.  I must say it feels like losing one of my own brothers.  The officers, N.C.O.'s and men of "A" Company join with me in sending you our deepest sympathy in the loss of your son John. - I am, yours, Lce. Cpl. H. Cain".

A sad circumstance in connection with Corpl. Wilkinson's death is that he was only married a few weeks ago, his wife residing at 25 Ivy Street.  He had only been back with his battalion four days when he met his death.  Corpl. Wilkinson was a Military Medallist, gaining the honour on April 9th of last year, and he was presented with the medal on April 17th this year by the Mayor of Burnley at the Burnley Palace.  He had been in the Army nearly ten years, and was in South Africa when the war broke out.  Returning to England with his battalion, he went to France in November 1914, and was in several engagements.  He was wounded at Neuve Chappelle in March 1915: at Contalmaison on the Somme in July 1916, and again on March 21st this year, the first day of the German offensive.

Buried in St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq, France: IV. B. 4