Pte 33155 Francis Douglas Wilkinson

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Friday 17th August 1917
• Commemorated at: Westouter Cy & Ext
  Panel Ref: II.D.5

Francis Douglas Wilkinson was born 31^st July 1896 in Liverpool and was baptised on 27^th September 1896 at St John the Evangelist, Church of England, Everton. He was the son of Joseph Henry Wilkinson and his wife Annie Isabella (nee Pritchard), of 24, Norwood Grove, Liverpool. His parents married at St Margaret's Church, Walton in 1892. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 40, Grey Rock Street, Liverpool. His  father, Joseph Henry, is aged 33, born in Liverpool and employed as a coach painter, his mother, Annie is aged 38, born in Liverpool, and is an assistant school mistress. At the time of the Census they have two children, Harold William is aged 7 and Francis Douglas aged 4. They also have a domestic servant Sarah Cattrall aged 28, born 1873 in Liverpool and a boarder named Elizabeth Hughes aged 56, born 1845 in Mold, Flintshire and she is a lady missionary.  

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 40 Grey Rock Street, West Derby Road, Liverpool. His father Joseph Henry is now aged 43, born 1868 and is a coach and motor painter, his mother, Annie is aged 48, born 1863 and is an elementary school teacher. They have been married for 18 years and have had five children off which one has died. Those listed at home are; Harold William aged 17, born 1894 occupation apprentice pawnbroker, Francis Douglas aged 14, is an office boy in a loan office, George aged 8, born 1903 and Doris aged 6, born 1905. All the children were born in Liverpool.

Francis enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion (No 4 Company), The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 33155 when he died on the 17th August, 1917 aged 21 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

18th Battalion Diary written by Major Clayton for 12-20th Aug 1917 at Mont Vidaigne records "33155 Pte F. D. Wilkinson, accidentally killed (self inflicted W).

He now lies in Westouter Churchyard and Extension, Belgium, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPING”

The Churchyard and Extension was used by field ambulances and fighting units at intervals from November 1914 to September 1918. It contains 98 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and three German graves.

Liverpool Daily Post 27th Aug 1917

WILKINSON - August 17, killed on active service, Private Frank Wilkinson (K.L.R.), second dearly beloved son of Harry and Annie Wilkinson, 40 Grey Rock Street, Liverpool.

Pension Index Card records: Killed negligently (Self-inflicted)

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Annie.

We currently have no further information on Francis Douglas Wilkinson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Baptismal records show Francis Douglas was born in 1896 and the Census records hold the year 1897.