WILKINSON, Vincent Brown
| Service Number: | 1434 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Teralba, New South Wales, Australia, 17 June 1897 |
| Home Town: | Dudley, Lake Macquarie Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Teralba Public School, Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 14 October 1917, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Cooks Hill Life Saving & Surf Club War Memorial, Cooks Hill Lifesaving & Surf Club War Memorial, Dudley War Memorial, Teralba Public School Boys HR, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1434, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1434, 34th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1434, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney | |
| 21 Aug 1917: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| 14 Oct 1917: | Involvement Corporal, 1434, 34th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1434 awm_unit: 34th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-10-14 |
Help us honour Vincent Brown Wilkinson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Henry and Sarah Jane (nee BROWN) WILKINSON, Dudley, New South Wales.
He was killed by a shell out in the open at Ypres at Saur House, and buried by two of our men close by. He was buried near the Zonnebeke Railway, a cross marks the spot. I say him killed and helped to bury him near a pill-box, called Sane House, put up a deal board, name, rank and number. He was killed instantaneously by a shell.
CORPORAL WILKINSON.-Mr. H. Wilkinson, head teacher of the public school, Dudley, has received word that his son, Corporal V. B. Wilkinson, was killed in action on 14th October. Before enlisting, Corporal Wilkinson was employed on the Newcastle City Council's electrical staff.
In a letter to Mr. H. Wilkinson, of Dudley, upon the death in action of his son, the late Acting-sergeant Vincent Brown-Wilkinson, Brigadier A. Jobson writes that the deceased soldier came under his notice, and he was much impressed with his capacity as a signaller. In that work with "Maitland Own" Battalion, and at the battle of Messines, Sergeant Wilkinson had a large share in that good work. "He was a very good soldier," said Brigadier-General Jobson, and I am indeed sorry to hear of his death, and wish you to accept my warm sympathy. His record is one of which you have every right to be proud, for he was not only a soldier but a man in every sense." The late Sergeant Wilkinson was employed with the Newcastle City Electrical Department prior to enlisting, and was then in the fourth year of his apprenticeship. He was highly popular with the officials of the department, and his ability was rated very high.
WILKINSON.-In loving memory of my dear friend, Corporal V. B. Wilkinson, killed in action October 14, 1917.
He gave his life for his country.
Inserted by his dear friend. Gladys Trubody, Carrington.
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Let us remember a Fallen soldier of The Great War awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.
On the 14th October 1917, Corporal Vincent Brown Wilkinson, M.M., referred to as Wilko, 34th Battalion (signaller, Reg No-1434), apprentice electrical engineer (Newcastle City Council Electrical Staff), from Dudley Public School, New South Wales, was Killed in Action by an enemy artillery shell fragment, 1st Battle of Passchendaele, Passchendaele Campaign, age 20 years 4 months.
Born at Teralba, New South Wales on the 17th June 1897 to Henry (schoolmaster, died 1.9.1949, 106 Fern Street, Randwick, N.S.W., age 91, buried at?), and Sarah Jane Wilkinson nee Brown (schoolmaster, died 23.1.1941, 106 Fern Street, Randwick, N.S.W., age 85, mother of 8, sleeping at?; brother to Annie Catherine Perkins nee Wilkinson (born 1893, died 1969), and brother-in-law to William Henry Perkins (Reg No-1432, died 1946), both buried at the cemetery, Wilko enlisted on the 27th January 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A20 Hororata on the 2nd May 1916.
Admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance 10.1.1917 (myalgia).
Promoted to Corporal 20.6.1917.
Granted leave to Paris from 22.7.1917 to 3.8.1917.
Awarded Military Medal 21.8.1917.
Mr. Wilkinson’s name has been inscribed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 23), Belgium.
Place of Association – Teralba, New South Wales, Australia.
Wilko’s name has also been inscribed on the Teralba Public School Roll of Honour, Dudley Soldiers' Memorial and the Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club Memorial. Name would be inscribed on the Newcastle Technical College Roll of Honour. His name may also be inscribed on the Dudley Independent Order of Rechabites Roll of Honour.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate the gravesite of Wilko’s parent to ascertain if a memorial inscription has been added, so I would like to see a memorial inscription at the Perkins gravesite to tell us of the loss of her brother during The Great War, and I have placed poppies in remembrance of Wilko’s service and supreme sacrifice for God, King & Country. CATHOLIC 2-53. 132.
Many thanks to Great Niece Margaret-Mary Spencer for the notification and family history.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/.
Lest We Forget.
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