Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Stanley was born in 1898 at Barnard Castle and later baptised August 26th 1898. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Jane (nee Mansfield). The couple who married at Shildon on February 28th 1885 went on to have 7 children but sadly 3 died. Stan was their youngest surviving son.1901 father Thomas was a stone mason by trade. Stan’s siblings were Annie, Daisy (died 1914) and Ethel Mary.
Father Thomas died in 1903.
By 1911 Stan’s widowed mother had work as a charwoman. His sister Daisy worked as an ironer at the laundry alongside Ethel who was a sorter/packer. Also living with family at Portland Square was daughter Annie who had married Harold Morton a railway fireman. They had a two-year-old son, Stanley.
Stanley originally served with the 14th Training Reserve Battalion (service number 19178) before being transferred to the Sherwood Foresters on September 9th 1917. He had enlisted May 20th 1916 aged only 17 years 9 months but was not called up for service until March 20th 1917. However, on August 23rd 1917 he was old enough to be sent to France with the Expeditionary Force. He was killed in action October 24th 1917 having served a total of 1 year 158 days.
The Teesdale Mercury 14/11/1917 reported as follows :-
“Official news was received on Sunday morning by his mother, that Private Stanley Willis Wilkinson, of King-Street, Barnard Castle, had been killed in action between the 19th and 24th ult. Private Wilkinson had only been in the army seven months, and was in France about eight weeks, where he was serving with the Sherwood Foresters. Previous to the facts arriving from the War Office a comrade had written to Mrs Wilkinson, saying that her son had been hit on the head by shrapnel, and died shortly afterwards. The deceased young man in his earlier days attended the National Day School, and was further educated at the North Eastern County School. He entered Mr T. W. Bainbridge's office, about four years ago, where he remained up to the time of enlistment, being called up when 18. He was very courteous and obliging, and was greatly esteemed by his employer and by all who knew him. He was also a bell ringer, and taught a class at the Church of England Sunday School. He had a very promising future, and, while devoted to work in civil life, yet felt that he owed a duty to his country.”
His personal belongings of a pocket wallet, photos, letters, testament in case, 2 religious books, metal watch chain and 2 medallions were forwarded to his mother.
Stan is listed on the Tyne Cot memorial alongside 35002 of his comrades.
Recipient of the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Stanley Willis Wilkinson is remembered in Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.04, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25
