A Great War ‘Third Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant, later Second Lieutenant, T. C. Wilkinson, Honourable Artillery Company

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3144 Sjt :T. C. Wilkinson. 2/H.A.C.) nearly extremely fine, scarce to unit £1,000-£1,400

One of only 26 D.C.M.s awarded to the Honourable Artillery Company during the Great War.

D.C.M. London Gazette 4 March 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when he took charge of the remnants of his company after all he officers had become casualties and leading them through heavy fire to their final objective, which he consolidated, sending out patrols to either flank.’

Thomas Charles Wilkinson was born in London on 7 February 1896 and was educated at Battersea Grammar School. He attested for the Honourable Artillery Corps for the duration of the War on 17 February 1915, and was promoted Corporal on 4 December 1915. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 October 1916, was promoted Sergeant on 21 July 1917, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Third Battle of Ypres on 9 October 1917 (Battalion War Diary confirms). Proceeding to the Italian Front on 26 November 1917, he was appointed Company Sergeant Major on 27 January 1918. Returning home on 18 July 1918, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 16 March 1919. He relinquished his commission on 25 July 1921, retaining the rank of Second Lieutenant.

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