Jun 17, 1895

Born Silas Erwin Wilkie in Shawville, Quebec to Silas and Phoebe (nee Johnston) Wilkie

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60062 (temporary number 929)

Ø  Next of kin given as Silas Wilkie, father, Shawville, Quebec

Ø  Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø  Previous military experience given as 43^rd Regiment, DCOR (Duke of Cornwall’s own Rifles)

Ø  Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Nov 11, 1915

While the battalion was occupying the N & O Trenches on the Ypres Salient near Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Ervin Wilkie was killed by an enemy sniper while trying to save a fellow soldier who had been wounded.  He was buried in the Ridge Wood Cemetery near Dikkebus, Belgium with the inscription on his wood cross that says “He died trying to save a comrade”.  That inscription was not included on the granite grave marker when the wood cross was replaced.

Following the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny shown below) and Scroll were sent to his father, Silas Wilkie, Shawville, Quebec

The Memorial Cross (shown below) was sent to his mother, Mrs. Phoebe Wilkie, at the same address

Erwin Wilkie is honoured on the war memorial in Shawville, Quebec