First World War Medal Pair – Driver Joseph Wilkinson, Royal Field Artillery
British War Medal – 21767 DVR. J. WILKINSON. R.A.
Victory Medal – 21767 DVR. J. WILKINSON. R.A.
Joseph Wilkinson was born in 1887 and was a native of Yorkshire. By the time of the Great War he was married to Sarah Wilkinson, and the couple lived at 12 Lower Graham Street, South Bank, York, a working-class area closely associated with railway and industrial employment.
Wilkinson enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery and entered active service early in the war, proceeding overseas on 19th May 1915. He served as a Driver, a vital role within the artillery, responsible for handling horse teams, moving guns, ammunition wagons and supplies, often under fire and in extremely demanding conditions. His unit is recorded as 5th “C” Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and his service included overseas duty.
During his time in uniform Wilkinson suffered from ill-health, and by 16th May 1917 he was deemed no longer physically fit for war service. He was discharged under Paragraph 392 (xvi) of King’s Regulations, a regulation commonly applied to men whose health had been permanently affected by military service. In recognition of this, he was issued the Silver War Badge, number 176,697, confirming honourable service and discharge due to sickness.
Joseph Wilkinson died on 9th December 1919, aged 32, his death occurring after the end of the war but while still classed as having died in active service. He is buried in Eston Cemetery, where he is commemorated in Grave Q.687, and his sacrifice is formally recognised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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AJMS Medals