Alfred Robert Wilkinson VC

Name: Alfred Robert Wilkinson

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: January 6, 1919

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Leigh, Lancashire (now Greater Manchester)/December 5, 1896

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Private (later Lieutenant)

Date of bravery: October 20, 1918

London Gazette citation:

No. 43839 Pte. Alfred Wilkinson, I/5th Bn., Manch. R. (T.F.) (Leigh).

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 20th October, 1918, during the attack on Marou, when four runners in succession having been killed in an endeavour to deliver a message to the supporting company, Pte. Wilkinson volunteered for the duty. He succeeded in delivering the message, though the journey involved exposure to extremely heavy machine-gun and shell fire for 600 yards. He showed magnificent courage and complete indifference to danger, thinking only of the needs of his company and entirely disregarding any consideration for personal safety.

Throughout the remainder of the day Pte. Wilkinson continued to do splendid work.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Leigh, Lancashire (now Greater Manchester)/October 18, 1940

Grave/memorials: Leigh Cemetery, Greater Manchester

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 2006

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum