Thomas Wilkinson (1855) VC

b. 1831 York, Yorkshire. d. 22/09/1887 York, Yorkshire.

Thomas Wilkinson (1831-1887) was born in York in 1831. From a young age, he enlisted with the British Army and became a Bombardier in the Royal Marine Artillery, just prior to the outbreak of the Crimean War.

Thomas Wilkinson VC

On the 7th June 1855, he was singled out for his gallantry when he was in the advanced batteries at Sebastopol. He was under heavy constant fire, when he continued to place sandbags on the batteries to replace the damaged bags. He was recommended for his award by the commanding officer of the Artillery of the Right Flank of the attack.

Wilkinson’s Victoria Cross was announced in the London Gazette on 24th February 1857, and he was one of the first 62 men to be decorated with the medal at Hyde Park by Queen Victoria on 26th June that year. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honour. He left the Royal Marine Artillery in 1859 aged 28, and returned to his native York where he became the manager of Rymer’s Sand Yard in North Street.

Wilkinson died on 22nd September 1887 aged 56, and was buried with full military honours in York Cemetery. His medals are displayed at the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Hampshire.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL MARINES MUSEUM, SOUTHSEA, HAMPSHIRE.

BURIAL PLACE: YORK CEMETERY, YORK.

SECTION FF

Acknowledgements:

Terry Cooling – Image of the Wilkinson VC Grave

Kevin Brazier – Image of Cemetery Map.

Thomas Stewart – Image of the Wilkinson VC Medal Group at the Royal Marines Museum.