b. 1925 Ulverston, Lancashire (now Cumbria). d. 05/01/1953 Malaya.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 05/01/1953 Malaya.
Henry E Wilkinson AM
Henry Eric Wilkiinson was born in Ulverston, Lancashire (now Cumbria) in 1925. Little is known of his early life, though he did become a chemist. He then gained employment with a rubber company based in Malaya. He was a keen sportsman particularly football. He is buried in Cheras Christian Cemetery, near Kuala Lumpur.
AM CITATION:
At 1.10 a.m. on 5th January, 1953, at the 5th mile Kuala Lumpur—Klang Road, Malaya, Mr. Wilkinson was driving a station wagon with four passengers when it ran off the road into an old mining pool. At the time of the accident there was a heavy mist making the road slippery and visibility poor. Mr. Wilkinson and three of the passengers succeeded in reaching the bank safely, but the fourth passenger, an Indian Clerk, was lost in the water. Mr. Wilkinson dived back into the pool three times in an effort to save the missing man but on the third occasion he himself failed to re-appear. The water was very muddy and the bottom was covered with thick weed. The search continued till morning for the two men and when eventually they were brought to the surface it was found that Mr. Wilkinson had succeeded in reaching the other man and had obviously been bringing him towards the surface when he himself was overcome, as his arms were still clasped around him in a lifesaving grip. Mr. Wilkinson lost his life in an extremely gallant endeavour, under very difficult conditions, to save the life of his passenger.
BURIAL LOCATION: CHERAS CEMETERY, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
Acknowledgement:
John Wilson – Image of the Wilkinson AM Grave.