Harold Wilkins was born in Guildford in 1885, the son of George Wilkins, a commercial traveller, and his wife Mary Maria. He was the middle child of three, having an older sister and a younger brother. The family lived for a time in Horsham before moving to Shoreham. Later they settled at “Parham”, 16, Northcourt Road, Worthing. Harold enlisted at Brighton with the 9th Lancers on the 17th September, 1906, and served seven years with the Colours, including three years in South Africa. In civilian life he worked for Messrs. Wenban Smith and Co. where he was highly regarded. At the outbreak of war Harold was recalled to his old regiment, the Lancers, on the 6th August, 1914, and later transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment. After continuous active service in France from the early stages of the war he was posted to Italy. Later he was sent back to France with his regiment where he was in action following the German Spring offensive. On the 24th May, 1918, he was wounded, and died in a field ambulance. A letter of sympathy was sent by an officer of his regiment to his parents in Worthing, praising him as a soldier and as a man. Harold is buried in the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No.3

Andrew Foran