Pte 49551 John Joseph Wilkinson

John Joseph was born on the 26th January 1894 the son of Joseph Wilkinson and his wife Annie Blanche (née Ward) who were to be married on the 22nd May 1893 in St. Mary’s Church, Kirkdale(cancelled on certificate). Joseph was a 26 year old widowed labourer of 53 Compton St, father William a labourer, whilst Annie was a widow aged 26, same address, father John a deceased plumber. His father was born in Blackburn whilst his mother was born in Dartmouth, Devon but lived all her life in Liverpool. 

John Joseph was baptised at St. Chrysostom's Church, Everton on 18th March 1894. The baptismal records show his parents living at 24 Vipond Street and his father's occupation was a labourer.

John was the eldest of four surviving children, his siblings were William, Richard, and Eva. Four other babies died in infancy.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 30 Knowsley Street, Everton. John is shown as five years of age and living with his parents and two siblings. His father is a 30 year old dock labourer, whilst his mother is 32 years of age. His brothers are listed as William aged 4 and Richard aged 2.

Between the censuses the family lived at 14 Valentine Grove (based on siblings’ baptism records)

The 1911 Census finds the family at 53 Compton Street, Everton. John is 17, and employed in the paint works of Goodlass, Wall & Co. He lives with his parents and three siblings. His father is now 41 years of age and works for the Liverpool Corporation as a labourer in the cleansing department, his mother is shown as 43 years of age. His siblings are recorded as William G. aged 15 and a cart lad to a paint manufacturer, Richard aged 13 and Eva aged 5 are at school.  

John Joseph enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion as Private 49551. (Pte 49506 Dennison enlisted on the 25th Feb 1916). 

John Joseph was killed in France on the 21st March 1917, aged 23. The circumstances of his death were recorded in the battalion diary.

He was taking part in a recce patrol of 11 men who were ambushed by the German's at Neuville Vitasse. The diary records that 11 men went out on the patrol and that only 4 returned. The diary advises that 2nd Lieut Green and Serjeant Knowles were captured and taken prisoner. They recorded one death, that being Corporal Robert McArdle. The other men killed in the action were 2nd Lieutenant Robert Edward Green and Lance Corporal 24471 Ernest Alfred McEvoy. 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France. 

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).  

The Liverpool Echo of 11^th April 1917 reported:

Old Swan soldier killed.

"Bandsman John J. Wilkinson was accidentally killed in France, age 23. Prior to enlisting, he was employed by Messrs. Goodlass Wall & Co., Old Swan. He was the eldest son and resided with his parents at 53 Compton Street, Everton. He is sadly missed.”

“Jack” was remembered by his family on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Daily Post on Thursday 21 March 1918:

WILKINSON – In loving memory of my dear son JACK, who was killed in action, March 21, 1917. 

When last we saw his smiling face,

He looked so strong and brave; 

We little thought how soon he'd be

Laid in a soldiers grave.

- Sadly missed by mother, father, and brothers.

WILKINSON – In loving memory of dear JACK, who was accidentally killed, March 21, 1917.  

Dear soul, he's gone, we miss him much,

Freed from this world of sin;

We know he'll not return to us,

But we will go to him.

- Sadly missed by Beattie.

Soldiers effects, army pay of £16 9s 2d, War Gratuity £12, and Pension of 7/- pw went to his father Joseph.

On the 1921 Census at Compton Street, his father, Joseph, is aged 54, and is still a corporation labourer, his mother, Annie, is aged 55, William, aged 25, a barman, Richard, aged 22, out of work, and Eva 15.

His parents lived in Compton Street until they died, his mother died aged 67 in 1933 and was buried at Anfield Cemetery on the 7th October. His father died aged 70 in 1936, and was buried on the 21st February also at Anfield. 

John is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 33 Left.

His younger brother William enlisted in the 8^th Bn KLR in 1913 at age 17, and later served in France with the Army Service Corps. He was demobbed in 1919.

His father, Joseph, had served for over 19 years with the 8th Battalion (Irish) KLR, joining the Territorials in 1908 and was discharged in 1914 as medically unfit. He re-enlisted in the Territorials in 1920 at age 50, and was discharged after 13 months as medically unfit.

His parents lived in Compton Street until they died, his mother in 1933, and his father in 1936.

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