Whilst visiting York recently I came across the headstone of Thomas Wilkinson V.C.. I was there to photograph CWGC headstones on behalf of someone else and, truth-be-known, never knew he was interred in that particular cemetery, and only noticed his headstone because the wreath-of-poppies drew me to it. note: 4 images attached. Headstone reads: : HONOUR TO THE BRAVE - To the memory of THOMAS WILKINSON, Pensioner R.M.A. who died in the city of York. sepr 22nd 1887, aged 55 years. and was interred with full military honours - This stone was erected by the Officers, N.C.O. & Men of The Royal Marine Artillery as a token of respect to their late comrade Br. WILKINSON, who received the Victoria Cross, Legion Of Honour, Crimean, & Turkish medals, for his conspicuous bravery during the Crimean War. - Bottom black tile reads: Bmdr. T. Wilkinson V.C. Sebastopol 1855 2004 RESPECTING VALOUR note: he was awarded the V.C. based on his actions of 7th June 1855 at Sebastopol. On 26th June 1857, at an award ceremony in Hyde Park, Queen Victoria presented the first sixty-two Victoria Crosses in front of a cheering crowd of 100,000 people. I believe he was one of these 62 men who received the V.C. on that particular day. ......''On 7 June 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Bombardier Wilkinson was especially recommended for gallant conduct with the advanced batteries. He worked at the task of placing sandbags to repair damage done to the defences under a most galling fire The Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded to 111 members of the British Armed Forces during the Crimean War (also known as the Russian War) that lasted from 1854 to 1856. The Victoria Cross is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. The VC was introduced in Great Britain on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War. It takes precedence over all other Orders, decorations and medals; it may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command. The first ceremony was held on 26 June 1857 where Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients in Hyde Park''...... Above data via: List of Crimean War Victoria Cross recipients | Military Wiki | Fandom LEST WE FORGET Tony Buckley www.asiawargraves.com
