Sergeant William Wilkinson

Service Number: 8817

1st Bn. Border Regiment

Killed in Action 29th June 1915, aged 22

Son of Mr. &. Mrs. J. E. Wilkinson, 53 Eliza Street, Burnley

From the Burnley Express dated 31st July 1915:  A REAL PATRIOT.  Sacrificed stripes to come and fight.

The story of Sergt. William Wilkinson, of the 1st Border Regiment, ranks as one of the finest examples of patriotism.  A Burnley boy, he enlisted at the age of 14 1/2 years in the 1st Border Regiment, and after only twelve or eighteen months he was sent out with the regiment to India.  He was a fine speciman of manhood, standing six feet two inches in height.  At the end of his seven years he did not re-enlist for a longer time, but went into the offices of the brigade headquarters with the rank of Sergeant.  When the war broke out, and the Borderers were ordered West, he so desired to come that he sacrificed his stripes to go again in the fighting ranks.  He had a short furlough home before going to the war, when he had his photograph taken.  He was then a Lance Corporal, but since going out to the Dardanelles he had got back his rank of Sergeant.

His parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Wilkinson, of 53 Eliza Street, have now had War Office intimation that Sergt. Wilkinson was killed on the 29th June in the Gallipoli Penninsula.  He could thus have only been two days in the trenches, as the last letter received was dated June 27, and in it he stated that he was just going into the firing line.  He left England sometime in March.  Sergt. Wilkinson was a splendid soldier, and a teetotaller and non-smoker.  Although he left Burnley when quite a lad, he was well known as an old Fulledge day and Sunday scholar, and Mr. &. Mrs. Wilkinson and their daughters have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends.

Buried in Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli: IV. D. 7