Military History

Wilkerson disembarked at Plymouth, England 2.12.1916 and marched in to training camp. After  less than 3 weeks training, he embarked per HT 'Princess Victoria,' and marched into Base at Etaples 29.12.1916. He was taken on strength with the 51st Bn. in the Field 7.2.1917. The 51st Bn. at this time were fighting in the trenches on the Somme and endured a difficult winter with harsh conditions. Wilkerson became sick and was transferred by the 12th Field Ambulance to the 2nd Australian General hospital at Wimereaux 22.2.1919. He was diagnosed with gastritis and embarked the HS 'St Dennis' for transfer as an invalid to England. Wilkerson was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital 29.2.1917. On recovery, he was discharged to the 3rd Auxilliary Hospital at Dartfod 27.3.1917. He was granted furlough for 2 weeks, before marching into Hurdcott Training Camp. After a further period of training, he proceeded to Folkstone and embarked for France 27.5.1917. Wilkerson marched into the 4th Division Army Base Depot at Etaples and was then taken on strength with his unit in the Field 21.6.1917. The 51st Bn. had moved its focus to the Ypres section in Belgium at this time.  The Bn. later fought at Polygon Wood in September 1917. Wilkerson was killed in the Passchendaele 12.10.1917. It is unclear from records if his body was located. Wilkerson is commemorated today at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium.
Final Rank Private 51st Bn.
Medical Condition  Deceased KIA
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes He served with his 2 brothers Ernest (returned) and James.
Photo 'Australia's Fighting Son's of the Empire'. Facs.Ed. reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014. p.231
           SS 'Suffolk' in Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00998.027
          Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01200
          Menin Gate War Memorial 1938. Secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission. Photograph source AWM H16916

Information source
Australia's Fighting Son's of the Empire 1914-1918,  Palmer and Ashworth(1922) Facsimile Edition. Published Hesperian Press,Victoria Park.WA. 2014
AWM  P00998.027. SS 'Suffolk' in Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E01200. Passchendaele 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H16916. Menin Gate War Memorial 1938. Secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Samuel Henry Richardson Wilkerson
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455 Wilkerson Samuel Henry Richard



Toodyay, WA.

Associated Images