210427 A/Bdr. John "Motorman" Wilkinson DCM.Royal Field Artillary 112 Bde. C Bty. from:Glasgow John Wilkinson was referred to as motorman as that was his occupation when he volunteered in 02/06/15 as a gunner with 112 Brigade, C Battery.
His rank was Gunner 02/06/15-11/01/19, L/Bdr 11-01/19-15/01/19, Bdr 15/01/19-09/03/19
From the London Gazette of the 26th of July 1917 the notice of his DCM states it was for putting out fire in munition dump during a gas attack.
From his diary of 1918:
- Mon 18 Feb Left High Wycombe
- Tue 19 Feb Landed at Le Havre
- Thu 28 Feb Left Le Havre
- 01/03 Rue
- 02/03 Albert to Bapaume
- 03/03 Bapaume to Royal Court
- 21/03 Left Royal Court
- 22-27/03 Riheat
- 28/03 Albert
- 16/04 Statue of Albert church fell at 3.50pm on this date. Eye witness Mr Deeson 50th Battery 34 Bdg A7A
Unfortunately I only have one diary and he didn't write much. He did say that the statue fell because of friendly fire from his gun. And, that it wasn't deliberate. The date is very different from what the papers reported.
I have quite a few photos including the whole Brigade(I presume) and a tea party group photo of Shipley.
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