Mar 26, 1887

Born in Fenelon Falls, Ontario to Edward and Mary Ann (nee Allen) Wilkinson

Mar 10, 1915

Married to Gladys Uretta Parker in Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Dec 11, 1915

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Ø  Number 725535

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Gladys Wilkinson, wife, Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Salvation Army

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 917 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Wilkinson joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Bully Grenay, France

Dec 11, 1916

Proceeded on the Machine Gun Course

Dec 17, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from course

Apr 9, 1917

During the Canadian Corps attack on and capture of Vimy Ridge, Private Wilkinson received a bullet wound to his chest and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transferred to a casualty clearing station for treatment

Apr 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 13, Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne and placed on the dangerously ill list

Apr 19, 1917

Private John Henry “Harry” Wilkinson died of his wounds at 11:15 pm and was buried in the nearby Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Gladys Wilkinson, 414½ George St., Peterborough, Ontario

A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Wilkinson, at the same address

The Boulogne Cemetery as it appeared in 1918

Jul 31, 1923

His widow Gladys, was remarried to Bruce William Meeks in Springville, Ontario

Harry Wilkinson is honoured on the war memorial
in Fenelon Falls, Ontario (above) and on the war memorial
in Peterborough, Ontario (below)