Lieutenant/Quarter-Master Edward Wilkinson DSO DCM
Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Killed in action 31st October 1914, aged 43
Lived at 22 Queen Street, Colne
Buried in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium
Burnley Express 28/11/1914 - 20/2/1915

He served twenty six years with the Colours, and had a distinguished career, having risen from the ranks through his ability, courage, and good conduct. He served through the Boer War, having been besieged in Kimberley for four months, and was presented with the Kimbeley Star. He was awarded the South African, medals and the Distinguished Conduct medal for distinguished gallantry at Hartebeestfontein, leading the company in a charge when the officers were out of action, which gallant act. probably saved the whole column. He received his commission m June, 1912.

He was killed in action ou the 31st October, 1914, and the news of his death was conveyed in a letter written by Ueutenaafc-Colonel Carter, D.8.0., of his battalion, himself soon afterwards killed in action, who wrote: " We have lost officers and men, but the greatest loss to me personally is caused by poor Wilkinsons death. He was the whitest man that ever breathed, with the heart of a lion. He fell fighting at the head of a number of men of various corps on the road near Ypres,.He attempted to stem the onflood of the Gennan advance down the road—and apparently did so with the men he collected. It has been said he shiould be given the Victoria Cross. His duty did not lie with the battalion in the fighting line, but he was ever present where the fighting took place. The regimentcal Sergeant-Major of the 1st K.R.R.C. witnessed his last heroic action, and the words he used to me were,

"If ever soldier earned a V.C. your Q.M. did the night of the 31st October, 1914.' "

Lieutenant Wilkinson was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatch of the 14th January 1915

He was a great sporsman, a fine athlete, probably the best in the regiment for several years, and as a cyclist he had few equals. He was generous to a fault, a staunch friend', and^beloved by everyone who had dealings with'him.

Lietenant Wilkinson married Eliza Harriet, daughter of William Parkhouse of Padiham, and left three daughters : Irene Ethel born November 1907 ; Audrey Dora born December 1911 : and Edwina Mary, born, after her fathers gallant death in January 1915.