Gallantry on the Somme: T.O.L. Wilkinson VC
Lieutenant T.O.L. Wilkinson V.C. from “The War Illustrated Album De-luxe, Volume VII”.
Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson VC
7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment,
La Boiselle, France. July 5, 1916
Born in 1894 at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England, Thomas Wilkinson came to Canada in 1912, and, prior to the Great War, worked as a surveyor on Vancouver Island and in Burnaby, B.C. He joined the 16th Battalion C.E.F. on September 23, 1914 and, of note, his service papers record:
“The present whereabouts of this man is unknown, O/C 16th Battn. says He did not proceed overseas with the Battn. & Hdq’s Canadians have no record of him being struck off strength…4/11/15.”
Wilkinson however, had made his way to England and was commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant in the 7th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, December 23, 1914. In July 1915 he was serving in France. A year later, on July 1, 1916 the battle of the Somme commenced. That first day was to become the bloodiest day of the British Army with 57,470 casualties of which 19,240 soldiers were killed or died from their wounds. A further 2,152 soldiers were missing.
Four days later, July 5, 1916 Thomas Wilkinson was in action with his battalion on the Somme. For his actions at La Boisselle, France Wilkinson was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Thiepval War Memorial and is also recorded on the Sandwick Cairn [War Memorial] near Courtenay and Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Citation for the award of the Victoria Cross to T.O.L. Wilkinson
Announced in the London Gazette 26 September 1916
“For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack, when a party of another unit was retiring without their machine gun, Lieutenant Wilkinson rushed forward and, with two of his men, got the gun into action, and held up the enemy till they were relieved. Later, when the advance was checked during a bombing attack, he forced his way forward and found four or five men of different units stopped by a solid block of earth, over which the enemy was throwing bombs. With great pluck and promptness he mounted a machine gun on the top of the parapet and dispersed the enemy bombers. Subsequently he made two most gallant attempts to bring in a wounded man, but [in] the second attempt he was shot through the heart just before reaching the man. Throughout the day he set a magnificent example of courage and self-sacrifice.”
The Sandwick Cairn. Unveiled November 12, 1922.
From that bloodiest of days, July 1, 1916, until the end of the battle of the Somme November 18, 1916, British and Empire dead, missing and wounded, numbered 419,654. There were others too. From the ranks of the French Army their casualties rose to 204,253 and from the other side of the battlefields, German losses are thought to number between 437,000 and 600,000.
No matter from which side, each one with a name, and each one with a story to tell.
Did you know?
Three other soldiers, with Canadian connections, serving in British regiments were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Great War. They are Michael O’Leary (1st Irish Guards), Philip Eric Bent (9th Leicestershire Regiment), and Edmund DeWind (15th Royal Irish Rifles).
O’Leary lived in Canada briefly and joined the Royal North West Mounted Police in August 1913. He was discharged in September 1914 in order for him to rejoin his regiment in Ireland. The Victoria Cross was presented to him recognizing his actions at Cuinchy February 1, 1915.
Bent was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1891. His posthumous award of the Victoria Cross was made for valour at Polygon Wood, Belgium on October 10, 1917.
DeWind came to Canada in 1910 from Ireland. He enlisted with the 31st Battalion, C.E.F. and was subsequently commissioned into the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. On March 21, 1918 in action at the Race Course Redoubt, near Grougie his actions were recognized with the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross.
During the Second World War Charles Ferguson Hoey, served with the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment in Burma, and was awarded the Military Cross and a posthumous Victoria Cross. His brother, Trevor Ferguson Hoey, was killed during the Second World War, July 21, 1944, serving as a Lieutenant with the Canadian Scottish and is buried at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France.
About The Author
Well done site. The 16th Battalion Museum gives Wilkinson’s given names as Thomas Orde Lauder. If you were to check the VAC website http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/collections/cmdp/mainmenu/group01/cnd-vc You will find the seldom mentioned Canadian VC recipients:
DeMontmorencey, RHLJ
Nickerson, WHS
Cruickshank, RE
Sinton, JA
The VAC has just finished updating their Canadian VC recipient list. Keep up the good work.
Thank you
As his nephew I can confirm Lt Wilkinson’s given names were correctly Thomas Orde Lawder.
Just saw this earlier comment. Certainly of the VC names provided by Mr. Mullen, the two Great War recipients, Cruickshank and Sinton, are an oversight on my part. Both veterans are known to me and certainly an omission here. Especially Mr. Sinton who I have researched, spoken about and travelled to the Army Medical Services Museum in Aldershot where there is an exhibit about him. The exhibit includes his honours and awards. Thank you.
I’ve noticed a minor correction due for TOL Wilkinson VC. His place of birth was Bridgnorth, Shropshire, not Bridgeport.
A memorial plaque was dedicated to him in 2004 at St Andrew’s Church, Quatt, near Bridgnorth.
Correction
Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson was born at
Dudmaston, Bridgnorth , Shropshire England and was educated at Wellington College
CScotR has just finished ceremonies in Victoria and Lazo for the centennial of Wilkinson’s VC. Relatives attended from UK, USA and Canada. As a result of consultatatio his CV has been corrected as follows:
LIEUTENANT THOMAS ORDE LAWDER WILKINSON VC
50th Regiment Gordon Highlanders, 16th Bn Canadian Scottish,
7th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Born on 29th June 1894 at Lodge Farm, Dudmaston, Quatt nr. Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England, Thomas Wilkinson came to Canada in 1912, and, prior to the Great War, worked as a surveyor at Lazo on Vancouver Island. Notice of Wilkinson’s enlistment in the 50th Gordon Highlanders appeared in The Daily Colonist of 4th Aug 1914, page 3 under “Regimental Orders”. The entry states “ 03 Aug 14 enlisted in 50th Regt (Highlanders of Canada) and posted to A Coy as a Pte. Address on enlistment: Lazo P.O., Comox, B.C.”
Information from National Archives states:
• 10 Aug 14: mobilized in 50th Regt (Highlanders) at Victoria
• 28 Aug 14: tfrd to 16 Bn CEF – draft left Victoria for Valcartier, PQ
• 23 Sep 14: attested for overseas duty at Valcartier – 16 Bn CEF
• 03 Oct 14: embarked Quebec, SS Andania – 16 Bn CEF
• 15 Oct 14: disembarked Plymouth to Salisbury Plains
• 23 Dec 14: granted a commission as temp lieut in the British New Army and posted to 7th Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (Preston Pals Bn)
In July 1915 he was serving in France. A year later, on July 1, 1916 the battle of the Somme commenced. That first day was to become the bloodiest day of the British Army with 57,470 casualties of which 19,240 soldiers were killed or died from their wounds. A further 2,152 soldiers were missing.
Four days later, July 5, 1916 Thomas Wilkinson was in action with his battalion on the Somme. For his actions at La Boisselle, France Wilkinson was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Thiepval War Memorial and is also recorded on the Sandwick Cairn [War Memorial], Lazo, near Courtenay and Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
It is interesting to note that his service papers record: “The present whereabouts of this man is unknown, O/C 16th Battn. Says he did not proceed overseas with the Battn. & Hdq’s Canadians have no record of him being struck off strength…4/11/15.”
I have a few of TOL Wikinson’s athletic trophies that I aquired at an aution 30 years ago in South Africa. I have subsequently immigrated to BC Canada (22years ago) and brought the trophies along. Today I was looking at them and went online to see if there was any information available on him. I was pleasantly surprised that he was such a remarkable man.
Hello Mr. Jonker,
I believe that family members of Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson have visited this website and may be interested in chatting with you.
You may wish to contact the Courtenay Museum and Historical Society located north of Nanaimo. Mr. Wilkinson is commemorated on the nearby Sandwick cairn. Their museum and archives may have additional information on Mr. Wilkinson and may be interested in speaking with you too. All the best and thank you for your interest.
Paul
I have the trophies and if there is any interest in them please let me know.
Jan
I have spoken with someone at the Canadian Scottish who thinks that their regimental museum might be interested in the trophies.
Can I provide them with your contact information?
Paul
Ok