The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private R A W Wilkinson

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Photograph by "International Wargraves Photography Project"

Private Robert Arthur WILKINSON, L/10294, 7th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, Flanders France, 21st November 1916, age 23.

Born Battersea. London, SE, son of William James & *Mary Ann Wilkinson,  38, Palmerston Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London.

Previously served in "H" Company, 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, Service No.1519, from 10th July 1913 to  31st December 1913, handed in his arms, equipment & clothing

Enlisted Maidstone, Kent, age 20 years & 54 days, height 5ft 4⅝ inches, weight 120lbs, pale complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair, flat feet.  Resided Wandsworth, SW.  Previously rejected for Military Service, on the grounds of varicose veins, operation scars two left leg, two left calf, two right calf, two right thigh, scat left forearm. Formerly bottle washer.

Home, 4th February 1914 to 7th November 1914; BEF, 8th November 1914 to 5th January 1915; Home, 6th January 1915 to 2nd October 1916;  BEF, 3rd October 1916 to 21st November 1916.

4th February 1914, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 27th April 1914, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 19th May 1914, Dublin, absent from School at 5.45pm, 3 days confined to Barracks; 5th October 1914 to 15th October 1914, Fort Darland, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, breaking out of Camp and remaining absent until apprehended by Civil Police about 7.30am 15th October 1914, at Westerham, awarded 14 days Field Punishment, No.2.; 8th November 1914, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 3rd January 1915, to Hospital, varicose veins; 5th January 1915 to England; Home 6th January 1915; 16th January 1915, 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester, flat feet, slight varicose veins, origin of disability 1912, Westerham, employed at a brewery at the time of the onset of the trouble with the feet. Had much standing to do. The feet have got progressively worse during the last two years. Veins were distended in both legs, when he joined the Army. Has had operations since then (Maidstone 13 months, Dublin 10 months), occasional pain in calves of legs. Both feet distinctly flat, unable to walk more than about one mile, without much inconvenience and pain in legs, fit for Service at Home; 10th May 1915, Fort Darland, not being shaved on Parade at 6.45amand 8.45am, 3 days confined to Barracks; 9th June 1915, Fort Darland, absent from Sick Parade at 9.00am, 7 days confined to Barracks; 18th June 1915, deserted; 12th August 1915, apprehended by Civil Police at Broadstairs, 12th August 1915, rejoined from Desertion; 12th August 1915 to 19th August 1915, awaiting Trial; 20th August 1915, Tried by District Court Martial, (1) when on Active Service Deserting HM Service, (2) when on Active Service losing by neglect his clothing. Sentenced to 6 calendar months & stoppages of pay, 3 months remitted on confirmation by GOC , dated 21st August 1915, All former Service forfeited, service now reckons from 20th August 1915; 25th August 1915, 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, deserted & struck off strength; 26th January 1916, rejoined from Desertion, awaiting Trial 26th January 1916 to 7th February 1916, Tried by DCM 8th February 1916, for when on Active Service Deserting HM Service, sentenced to 18 months Detention, all former Service forfeited, service now reckons from 8th February 1916; 19th September 1916, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, from Detention Barracks Woking; 3rd October 1916, posted BEF; 3rd October 1916, embarked; 19th October 1916, joined 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, In the Field; 21st November 1916, 9 Casualty Clearing Station, died of wounds.

11th June 1919, Statement of Relatives - Father, W J Wilkinson, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; Mother, J E Wilkinson, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; Brothers - E E Wilkinson, age 25, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; W J A Wilkinson, age 23, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; E F J Wilkinson, age 18, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; A G E Wilkinson, age 16, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; Sisters - L V M Wilkinson, age 14, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; N J R Wilkinson, age 9, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18; R D F Wilkinson, age 6, 38, Palmerston Road, Wandsworth, SW18.

*Widow / Mother -   Jane Elizabeth Wilkinson, from pension card.

Buried at Contay British Cemetery, VIII. F. 30., Contay, Somme, France.