WILKS, HAROLD

Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser

 

 

Source

CWGC

SDGW

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Other

Parents

Mr. E.S. Wilks

 

 

2a

 

The late Mr. E. S. Wilks and Mrs. Wilks

 

 

2c, 2d

3

Where born

 

 

 

 

 

When born

 

 

 

 

 

Position in the family

Youngest son

 

 

2d

3

Address

Church Street

 

 

2c

3

Dove Bank (parents)

 

 

2d

 

Where educated

(Thomas) Alleyne's Grammar School, Uttoxeter

 

 

2b, 2d

3

St. Wilfred's College, Oakamoor, Staffordshire

 

 

2b, 2d

3

Spouse

 

 

 

 

 

Children

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Before Joining up

 

 

 

 

 

When enlisted

Outbreak of war

 

 

2a, 2d

3

Where enlisted

 

 

 

 

 

Former service

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters)

 

 

2a, 2d

 

7th Bn., Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), the Robin Hood Rifles

 

 

 

3

After receiving his commission: 11th South Staffordshire Regiment

 

 

2d

 

Regiment at the time of death

Manchester

Yes

Yes

 

3

Attached to the Manchester regiments

 

 

2d

3

One of the Manchester battalions

 

 

2c

 

Unit at the time of death

17th Bn.

Yes

Yes

 

3

17th (S) Bn.

 

 

 

3

When commissioned

21st September 1915

 

 

2d

3

Rank at the time of death

2nd Lieutenant

Yes

 

2d

3

2nd Lieutenant (TP)

 

Yes

 

 

Lieutenant

 

 

2c

 

Service Number at the time of death

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Death

12 October 1916

Yes

Yes

2d

3

Age at time of death

22

 

 

2c, 2d

 

Where Killed or died

Somme - Thilloy

 

 

 

 

How he died

Killed in Action

 

Yes

2c, 2d

3

Location of Grave or Memorial

Thiepval Memorial for the Missing - Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C.

Yes

 

 

 

Uttoxeter Town War Memorial (Market Place)

 

 

 

3, 4

Thomas Alleynes’ School War Memorial, Uttoxeter

 

 

 

3, 4

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Uttoxeter

 

 

 

4

Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Harold was the youngest son[2d, 3],.

The school’s war memorial

He joined the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment (Robin Hoods) in November 1914 & did his training in Nottingham and Luton[2a, 2d, 3].

He was granted a commission in the 11th South Stafford Service Battalion on 21st September 1915[2d], having served for 12 months in the 'Robin Hoods' (Sherwood Foresters) [2b].  He was gazetted to the South Staffordshire Regiment[2d] and continued his Officer-training in Scarborough and Cannock[2b, 3].

Just before leaving for the front he was attached to the Manchester Regiment[2d, 3], and soon after arriving in France was appointed the intelligence officer of his battalion[2d]. He was killed when he had not been long at the front and had been at home only the month before to attend his father's funeral[2c, 3].

His obituary in the Uttoxeter Advertiser describes him as a young officer, who was exceedingly popular with his men, and thought much of by the officers[2d].

He was killed in action at about 2:15 pm, leading his men into action against the enemy trenches.

His family received a very sympathetic letter from the Lieut. Colonel commanding his regiment, and it was quoted in his obituary in the Uttoxeter Advertiser[2d]:

 “I am sorry to have to inform you that Lieut. Wilks was killed in action about 2:15p.m. on the 12th inst., leading his men into action on enemy trenches. Since he joined the battalion a short time ago he had worked very hard, and had charge of our scouts and snipers. He had done good work and was most conscientious in carrying out his duties. We shall miss him very much. .. His loss will be a burden on you all, and you have the heartfelt sympathy of every officer, N.C.O. and man in the battalion..”

A solemn requiem mass was sung in his memory at the Roman Catholic Church in Uttoxeter[2d].
Harold is commemorated on the war memorial inside the church

 

 Harold Wilks has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.