WILKS, HAROLD
Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser
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CWGC |
SDGW |
Uttoxeter Advertiser |
Other |
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Parents |
Mr. E.S. Wilks |
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2a |
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The late Mr. E. S. Wilks and Mrs. Wilks |
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2c, 2d |
3 |
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Where born |
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When born |
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Position in the family |
Youngest son |
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2d |
3 |
Address |
Church Street |
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2c |
3 |
Dove Bank (parents) |
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2d |
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Where educated |
(Thomas) Alleyne's Grammar School, Uttoxeter |
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2b, 2d |
3 |
St. Wilfred's College, Oakamoor, Staffordshire |
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2b, 2d |
3 |
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Spouse |
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Children |
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Employment Before Joining up |
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When enlisted |
Outbreak of war |
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2a, 2d |
3 |
Where enlisted |
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Former service |
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) |
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2a, 2d |
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7th Bn., Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), the Robin Hood Rifles |
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3 |
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After receiving his commission: 11th South Staffordshire Regiment |
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2d |
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Regiment at the time of death |
Manchester |
Yes |
Yes |
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3 |
Attached to the Manchester regiments |
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2d |
3 |
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One of the Manchester battalions |
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2c |
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Unit at the time of death |
17th Bn. |
Yes |
Yes |
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3 |
17th (S) Bn. |
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3 |
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When commissioned |
21st September 1915 |
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2d |
3 |
Rank at the time of death |
2nd Lieutenant |
Yes |
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2d |
3 |
2nd Lieutenant (TP) |
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Yes |
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Lieutenant |
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2c |
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Service Number at the time of death |
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Date of Death |
12 October 1916 |
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Yes |
2d |
3 |
Age at time of death |
22 |
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2c, 2d |
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Where Killed or died |
Somme - Thilloy |
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How he died |
Killed in Action |
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Yes |
2c, 2d |
3 |
Location of Grave or Memorial |
Thiepval Memorial for the Missing - Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C. |
Yes |
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Uttoxeter Town War Memorial (Market Place) |
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3, 4 |
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Thomas Alleynes’ School War Memorial, Uttoxeter |
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3, 4 |
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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Uttoxeter |
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4 |
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Awards |
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Harold was the youngest son[2d, 3],.
The school’s war memorial |
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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.