Lives of the First World War

6th June 1917

Nelson Soldier’s death in action Pte. Rennie Wilkinson, East Lancashire Regiment, who resided with his uncle at 58 Temple Street, Nelson, is reported to have died in action on May 11th. He was 25 years of age, and formerly was employed as a beamer at Clover Mill. Pte. Wilkinson had only been at the front a couple of months. An officer of his regiment, in a letter to the deceased’s aunt, states that Pte. Wilkinson was acting as guard to an officer who was relieving another officer in an isolated trench. Before he reached his destination he was wounded severely by a shell which “pitched” into the trench. He died a quarter of an hour later. The officer expresses his personal regret at the loss of Pte. Wilkinson, who, he adds, was in his section, and was always bright and cheerful – an example to all the men. He died as a brave man.

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