Trafford

Born in 1890, the son of George & Sarah Ann Wilkinson.

1891 Census - No Trace.

1901 Census - Blacksmith's Shop, Ollerton, near Knutsford.  Son - aged: 10
(listed as William W. Wilkinson) - born: Stockport.  Head of household -
George Wilkinson - Married - aged: 39 - occ: Agricultural Labourer - born:
Knutsford.   Also - Sarah A. Wilkinson - Wife - aged: 41 - born: Knutsford.
  Plus 3 sisters.

1911 Census - Birley Hirst Farm, Mobberley.   Servant - aged: 21 - occ:
Waggoner on Farm - born: Seven Oaks, Cheshire.   Farm hand on the farm of
Peter & Elizabeth Gradwell.    His parents were residing at Chelford Road,
Ollerton, near Knutsford.   George Wilkinson - aged: 49 - occ: Farm
Labourer - born: Knutsford.   Sarah Ann Wilkinson - aged: 50 - born:
Northwich.

WO 363 - He attested into the Cheshire Rgt at Knutsford on the 3rd
September 1914.   He was aged: 23 years, 5 months, born at Stockport and
employed as a Waggoner.  Posted into the 8th Battalion on the 15th October
1914.   He was 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighed 10 stone, 5 lb.  His
chest measurements were 32 inches expanded to 34 inches.   He had Grey
eyes, Brown hair and had a Dark complexion.   His next of kin was his
father - George Wilkinson, Walnut Cottage, Ollerton, near Knutsford.   His
wife - May Wilkinson's name was added later and was residing at Townfields,
Gladstone Street, Knutsford.

Formerly 14106, Cheshire Rgt.   Married May Mantle at Winchester on the
22nd May 1915. 

Promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on the 21st July 1916.  Admitted
into St. Omer Stationery Hospital on the 15th  March 1917 suffering from
"Debility".    Promoted Corporal "In the Field" on the 25th May 1917 and to
Sergeant on the 28th January 1918.   Posted to France on the 12th April
1918.   Awarded a posthumous Military Medal on the 13th September 1918.

In January 1920, his widow signed for his Military Medal under the name
Mrs. May Wilkinson of Town Lane, Mobberley.   She signed for William's
campaign medals as Mrs. M. Hodkinson on the 4th October 1920.

His widow - May Wilkinson, married Peter Hodkinson during the June quarter
1920 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/591.

Commemorated in The Mobberley Parish Council's Booklet - "1914-2014,
Remembering the Men from Mobberley who went to War for their Country" - per
Alistair MacLeod.