Sydney WILKINSON, Corporal 461, B Coy, 31st Australian Infantry Australian Imperial Force died 10th April 1917 aged 26. Son of John and Catherine of 3, Rosliston Road, Burton on Trent.
He joined up on the 21st July 1915 aged 25, occupation was given as farmer at Home Farm, Stapenhill, Burton on Trent. his parents address. On the 16th June 1916 he embarked from Alexandria on ship, H.M.T. Hororatio on the 23rd June 1916 disembarked at Marseiles. The 19th July 1916 he was wounded in the field with gun shots wounds to his upper extremities which were severe. he was taken a casualty clearing station and on the 20th was transferred to No1, Ambulance Train and late was admitted to 32, Stationary Hospital, Wimereux,, by this time he had been hit by shrapnel to his right side. The 21st he embarked Boulogne on H.S. Cambria and was admitted to V.A.D. Rust Hall, Hospital, Tunbridge Wells on the 22nd. He was admitted on the 4th August 1916 to the Australian Concept Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epson to be discharged to No1 Company Depot Perham Down on the 4th September 1916, on the 5th he was with 8th Training Battalion and the 16th September embarked for France. The 17th he was with the Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples and re-joined the 31st, on the 29th September 1916. The 4th November 1916 he suffered from his 2nd case of Shell Shock, and was admitted on the 5th, to 6th Australian Field Ambulance with the effects from a Gas Shell and was transferred to 36th Casualty Clearing Station. On the 8th November he was fit and was discharged to duty in the field, rejoining his unit on the 9th.
1st January 1917 was promoted to corporal in the field
10th February 1917 admitted to the 5th Division Rest Station, with Bronchitis and discharged to duty on the 19th February.
15th March 1917 Wounded in action, 3rd occasion admitted to 1/1 South Midland Casualty Clearing Station with injury to skull.
He was transferred on the 21st March 1917 to Ambulance Train and later admitted to No11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen with gun shot to the head
4th April 1917 at No11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen and entry states GSW to head, fractures with depression, dangerously ill
14th April 1917 another entry GSW to head, with fractured cranium with depression.
Last entry from the hospital. Died on wounds at 0330hrs on the 10thth April 1917
19th September 1917 he was laid to rest at St Sever Cemetery
Commemorated on a family memorial in Stapenhill Cemetery, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire and is buried in St Sever,Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France
