Alfred Robert Wilkinson

Alfred Robert Wilkinson
Born 5 December 1896
Leigh, Lancashire
Died 18 October 1940 (aged 43)
Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh
Buried Leigh Borough Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Lieutenant
Unit Royal Scots Greys
Seaforth Highlanders
Manchester Regiment
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross
Other work Coal miner

Alfred Robert Wilkinson VC (5 December 1896 – 18 October 1940), was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Wilkinson enlisted in the Royal Scots Greys at the outbreak of war in 1914 and transferred the following year to the 2nd. Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He finally transferred to the 1/5th Manchester Regiment and went to France in July 1916.

He was 21 years old, and a private in the 1/5th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army during the Battle of the Selle in the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 October 1918 at Marou, France, during the attack, four runners had been killed in attempting to deliver a message to the supporting company and Private Wilkinson volunteered for the duty. He succeeded in delivering the message although the journey involved exposure to extremely heavy machine-gun and shell fire for 600 yards. He showed magnificent courage and complete indifference to danger and throughout the remainder of the day continued to do splendid work.[1]

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant. Wilkinson was killed in a mining accident at Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh where he died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 January 1919. p. 309.

See also

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