2nd Lieutenant Bernard Ivan WILKINS
9th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

Date of birth: 1st November 1893
Date of death: 6th January 1916

Died of wounds aged 22
Buried at Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery Plot I Row C Grave 49
He was born at Caterham Valley, Surrey on the 1st of November 1893 the son of Sydney William Wilkins, stockbroker's agent, and Agnes (nee Jenkins) of 116 Lexham Gardens, Kensington, London W8. Following his father's early death in 1900 his mother moved to Canterbury where she became a hotel proprietor.

He was educated at the Junior King's School from September 1902 to April 1905 and at Dunstable School where he served as a Lance Corporal in the Officer Training Corps. On leaving school he worked as an electrical engineer.

Following the outbreak of war he enlisted in London as Private 518 in the 7th (Service) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on the 30th of August 1914. At a medical examination which was held on the same day it was recorded that he was five feet eight and one eighth of an inch tall and weighed 130lbs with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was attached to A Company and was sent for training at Sandling on the 3rd of September. On the 24th of November 1914 he applied for a commission in the infantry expressing a preference for the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. His application was supported by Arthur Galpin DD, Hon Canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Headmaster of the King's School Canterbury from 1897 to 1910.

He was commissioned as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Regiment on the 30th of November 1914. He embarked with the 9th Battalion of his regiment at Folkestone on the 26th of August 1915, landing at Boulogne at 1.30am the following morning.

At 12.25am on the morning of the 1st of January 1916 the 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment carried out a raid on the German trenches opposite. The raid was led by Major H.A.S. Prior who led a party of one hundred men. Although the raid was a success the casualties were two officers wounded, one man killed and fourteen other ranks wounded. Bernard Wilkins was among the wounded and was evacuated to the rear.

His mother received the following telegram dated the 4th of January 1916:-

"Regret to inform you that 2 Lieut. B.I. Wilkins 9th Yorks was wounded 1st Jany. Details will be wired when received."

She received a further telegram shortly afterwards dated the 7th of January:-

"Deeply regret to inform you that 2Lt B.I. Wilkins 9 Yorkshire Regt died of wounds on 6th Jany. Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy."

His Commanding Officer described him as: - "An officer who was loved and respected by all who came into contact with him."
Junior King's School

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