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Eric Fitzwalter Wilkinson Military Military Cross (MC) (2 March 1891– 9 October 1917) was a former school master, soldier and poet who wrote and published a number of works during World War One. Although he is perhaps one of the lesser-known English war poets of the time, among his best-known works are ‘To a Lark at Dawn between the Trenches’, ‘To My People Before The Great Offensive’, ‘To a Choir of Birds’, ‘Dad o’ Mine’, and ‘Memories’. Wilkinson was killed in action on 9 October 1917, at the age of 26.
Early Life.
Wilkinson was born in in Rochdale, Yorkshire, on 2 March 1891.[1] He was the son of Herbert Ashburn Wilkinson (1863–1948) and Mary Elizabeth Wilkinson (nee Wray) (1860–1945), latterly of Nethergrove, Portesham, Weymouth, Dorset.[2] He was educated at Dorchester and then Ilkley Grammer School, where he wrote poetry for the school magazine.
After school, Wilkinson took a three-year engineering course at Leeds University, where he joined the University Officers' Training Corps (UOTC), and after which he became a junior school master at Ilkley Grammar.[3] However, with the outbreak of war Wilkinson joined up, being granted an immediate commission on the basis of his UOTC experience.
War Service
Wilkinson joined the British Army and was promoted to Lieutenant on 10 October 1914. He then served with the 1st/8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles), Territorial Force.[4]
Wilkinson was Mentioned in Despatches twice, including in January 1916.[5]
Military Cross Citation
On 15th July 1915, near St Julien, near Langemark, West Flanders, Belgium, then Lieutenant Wilkinson, together with a Rifleman Clough & Private Mudd were out on a reconnaissance patrol when the Germans spotted them and illuminated them with lights. Mudd suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, and although Wilkinson and Clough carried him back to their trench, he died some 30 minutes later.[6] For his part, Clough received a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).
Wilkinson received an MC, and his citation reads:
‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and distinguished service in the field. Second Lieutenant Eric Fitzwater Wilkinson, 1st/8th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, (Leeds Rifles) Territorial Force.¬ For conspicuous gallantry and coolness on 15th July, 1915, near St. Julien, in assisting to carry a wounded soldier for a distance of 120 yards into cover under circumstances of great difficulty and danger.’
References
edit- ^ Forgotten Poets of the First World War: Eric Fitzwalter Wilkinson, MC (1891 - 1917) British Poet and Schoolteacher
- ^ Find a Grave Memorial
- ^ IWM - Lives of the First World War https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/34540
- ^ www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28968/supplement/9121/data.pdf and IWM - Lives of the First World War
- ^ Captain Eric Fitzwater Wilkinson | War Casualty Details 877144 | CWGC
- ^ Awards Records from the Ilkley Gazette p.93