CAPTAIN Mark Leslie PILKINGTON MC THE LIFE GUARDS & LRDG 76537. KIA 18/11/42 aged 28. Mark was born on the 12th January 1914 the son of Captain Herbert Charles Pilkington & Ruth Pilkington. He was educated at Eton College and in 1938 had been the prospective conservative candidate for East Woolwich. Later he married his wife Susan and was described as a man who had a vague desultory manner which concealed a gentleness and dislike of aggressive pompous individuals. Later in 1938 he joined the Life Guards Special Reserve and went with a composite unit of the Household Cavalry to the Middle East in 1940. In 1941 he volunteered for service in the Abyssinian campaign when he was with guerrilla units from Ethiopia engaged in fighting the Italians at Gondar and in this he proved to be both hardy and gallant in a campaign led by a very few British officers. Later, Mark was attached to the headquarters of the Arab Legion under Glubb Pasha in Transjordan in a campaign against Raschid Ali. It was whilst serving here that he volunteered form service with the Long Range Desert Group and was to be attached to them for a month. Mark was killed by Italian fighter aircraft in Wadi Tamet 50 miles from the coast near El Ageila and Marble Arch in Tripolitania. He was manning a machine gun, either a Bren or a Lewis, when his patrol was attacked on the way from Kufra to Birtala, a one thousand mile journey behind enemy lines. He was awarded a posthumous Military Cross on the 8th July 1943. The entry for the London Gazette reads, "For gallant & Distinguished services in East Africa & Madagascar. Mark is buried in Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya. (10.H.3) Does anyone have any further detail on this man's military career, the award of his MC and/or a photograph? Your help would be appreciated. Regards PAUL JOHNSON :ph34r:
Have you tried contacting Eton? They have good records on old boys, particularly those killed in the two World Wars. There was also a school magazine, which may well have had photos in it by WW2.
Paul, Thanks for the tip. I will give them a try to see if they have anything on him. Regards PAUL JOHNSON :ph34r:
Lieutenant, Local Captain Mark Leslie Pilkington MC, Household Cavalry attached East African Command. For conspicuous gallantry in action over a prolonged period in April 1941 to 27 November 1941. This officer entered Ethiopia in March, 41, in command of an operations centre composed of Ethiopians from the Sudan. He was directed against the Debra Tabor area in April. Together with other Ethiopian forces under British officers he led many harassing attacks against that place until its surrender in June, 41. Taking over a complete unit known asthe Vollo Banda, consisting of 1,500 Italian-trained irregulars who volunteered to serve against the Italians after the surrender of Debra Tabor, Captain Pilkington continued to set an example of a high order in his raids and harassing attacks on the Italian lines of communication between Kulkaber and Gondar. With the arrival of regular troops in the Gonda area, Captain Pilkington and his Vollo Banda took part in the attacks on the Kulkaber position on the 13th and 21st November, giving particular valuable assistance in the latter action in spite of heavy casualties to his troops. On 27th November he led his troops in the final attack on Gondar with great dash and gallantry, taking all objectives assigned to him. Dated 8.7.43 Hand written comment on the citation: Subsequently killed in action in Western Desert.
Drew, Thanks for the citation. It makes interesting reading as I know very little about this theatre of operations. Regards Paul J
Captain MARK LESLIE PILKINGTON M C 76537, Life Guards and, Long Range Desert Group who died age 28 on 18 November 1942 Son of Hubert Carlisle Pilkington, and of Ruth Honor Pilkington, of Little Offley, Hertfordshire; husband of Susan Violet Pilkington. Remembered with honour TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY Long Range Desert Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia His Brother was also killed in service 67717 Charles Leslie PILKINGTON, 149 Squadron RAF
Hi Clive, His MC is here. The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details I'm popping out within the hour. If no one does it for you, I'll post it later. A
This will be the same Mark Pilkington that is recorded on the war memorial in Great Offley in Hertfordshire. There is a personal recollection here: BBC - WW2 People's War - Brian Limbrick’s Wartime Childhood 1942 to 1945 see also: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/27557-captain-mark-leslie-pilkington-military-cross-long-range-desert-group.html
I can't find any reference here (although it is bias towards those from New Zealand). Would help if I remembered to post the link! LRDG - Awards - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour
Hello everyone, my name is charles Newman and i am Mark Pilkington's great nephew if there is any infomation i can help im more than happy to do so. Regards, Charles
Paul - if you want any further knowledge of the East African campaign - it continues after November '41 with the arrival of the 4th Indian Div in that area when tha campaign to finish it started . Check " The Tiger Triumphs" on google .. Cjheers
Hello everyone, my name is charles Newman and i am Mark Pilkington's great nephew if there is any infomation i can help im more than happy to do so. Regards, Charles Charles welcome to the forum would be good if you could post any photos/medals/info you have if not deemed to personal
Hi Charles and welcome to the forum. What Clive said-Anything you can add about Capt Pilkington would be great. Regards Andy
He has a SOE Personal File at TNA Kew which may have a photograph in it HS9/1189, this will relate to his time in Abysinnya and with the Arab Legion - looking at his record above. Steven
Hello Cpt. Mark L Pilkington is my paternal Grandfather. I’d be happy to provide any additional information. Thank you Katie Shepherd (nee Pilkington)
