James Wilkinson

Age 28    Single

Private 25426
1^st Bn., Border Regiment

Died of wounds on
Wednesday 23^rd October 1918

James was born in Great Harwood and when he was still only a toddler his mother died.  James’s father, who worked at the Sabden Printworks, moved to Whalley Road , Sabden along with his three sons and one daughter.  James attended Sabden County School , St Nicholas Church and Sunday School.  

When James was ten years of age, his father passed away and he was brought up by his older sister and brothers.  After leaving school James began work at Messrs F. Steiner and Company Printworks, Sabden.  

In June 1915 James enlisted in to the army and kept in regular contact with his brothers and sister.  From October 1918 the family heard nothing from James and their worst fears were confirmed four months later when they received a letter from one of James’s closest friends. He explained that,  

“We had been involved in the battle to take the Belgium village of Stasegem on October 20^th 1918 .  As we advanced James was shot in the stomach and he was taken back to a casualty clearing station, but unfortunately James died three days later.”  

James Wilkinson is buried at the Stasegem Communal Cemetery , Harlebeke, West-Vlaanderen , Belgium .  

In Sabden he has been remembered on both the School and Church Plaques.