Northumberland Fusiliers, 3rd Garrison Battalion, Service no. 16733
Born: 6th June 1894. Died: 1977.
Story
Raymond was the son of Allan Wilkinson (1870-1946) and Clara Crossland (1870-1945), and he was the eldest of their ten children, baptised in Kippax on 27th June 1894. The family lived at Storey’s Buildings, and Raymond was a Pony Driver employed by Micklefield Coal & Lime Company, and worked at Ledston Luck Colliery (pictured below). He had become a coal miner by the time he enlisted with the Army on 7th January 1915. Raymond served in France, he was 5ft 6½ inches tall, and had a scar on his forehead, and at that time, he was living on Kippax High Street. Raymond was described by his commanding officer as “a steady and sober man”, and his military character was “very good.” However, he was discharged on 24th August 1917 due to being no longer physically fit. He had myalgia, which was deep muscle pain. Raymond married Edith Firth in Kippax on the day after he left the Army. Edith was the younger sister of Thomas Fish Firth who also served, and who was injured during his service. Raymond and Edith had a daughter Edna on 11th September 1919. By 1939, Raymond was a Colliery Deputy at Ledston Luck, and lived at 226 High Street, Kippax. He passed away at the age of 83.
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