Thomas (or Leslie as he was known) was born in Galgate in 1921. He had two brothers - Jack and Robert Henry, both of whom served in North Africa. Leslie married Mary Ann Jackson (of 13 the Crescent) in June 1940 in Lancaster.

After his enlistment, Leslie was a gunner in “D” Battery of the 12th (HAC) Regiment RHA. He was classified as a signaller on 19 April 1941 and again on 27 October 1941. He seems to have been one of eight men of D Battery who were killed on 11 April 1943. By chance, one of his brothers heard of his death from his unit directly.

Obituary

'Wilkinson. Thomas Leslie . . . Gunner, RHA, HAC, killed in action, North Africa, April 1943, aged 22. Wife Mrs Wilkinson, of Main Road, Galgate. Youngest son of Mr & Mrs William Wilkinson, Chapel Street, Galgate, two brothers are serving.' 

From the Unit War Diary

10 Apr 1943 General break-through achieved and the whole Div went through the gap. 6 Armd Div (less 1 Gds Bde) formed up in Box Formation and advanced across KAIROUAN Plain – a very impressive sight, and to everyone’s thoughts a perfect tgt for bombers. 

Prisoners started to roll in and huge columns of smoke were observed rising from the direction of KAIROUAN. Btys first called into action S.W. of KAIROUAN against MT (motor transport) and Tanks. Regt spent night in this area, after a bombing attack at 1800 hrs by STUKAS and F.Ws 190.

11 Apr 1943 Regt moved off again at 1000 hrs in box formation to 4 miles SW of KAIROUAN. D Bty dive-bombed by 4 F.Ws 190 whilst forming up, causing 8 fatal casualties and 11 wounded. Lt. A.D.A. Newbery slightly wounded. Force bye-passed KAIROUAN at 1200 hrs and moved NTH with SBIBKA as objective. Advance continued and towards nightfall D Bty captured 96 prisoners. Regt lagered (a defensive box formation) for the night Sth of SBIBKA; witnessed Lothians (Lothian and Border horse) shoot up a column of enemy transport. Capt D.E. HUGHES sustained severe concussion through bumping head in a tank.

12 Apr 1943 RHQ had the distinction of meeting a recce car from the 8th Army at 1000 hrs and the troops gave them a Royal reception! Learnt that the 8th Army had taken SOUSSE at 0700 hrs that morning.

Men killed at the same time as Leslie: 

DICKERSON JAMES WILLIAM age 32 '1147521' Son of James and Alice Dickerson; husband of Maria Dickerson, of Barking, Essex.

SHARPE WILLIAM KENNETH age 28 '3063117' Son of William and Louisa Sharpe; husband of Anne Sharpe, of Headingly, Leeds, Yorkshire.

TATE HARRY aged 28 Gunner '3063119' Son of Edward and Minnie Tate of Bradford, Yorkshire; husband of Elsie Eileen Tate, of Bradford.

WARD JACK aged 26 Gunner '975722'

STOTT THOMAS ARTHUR aged 29 Lance Serjeant 2568419 son of Charles John and Florence Catherine Stott; husband of Gwendoline May Stott, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

TEMPLE ROBERT aged 30 Lance Serjeant 916227 

These men would all have been close comrades of Leslie - most are commemorated on the MEDJEZ-EL-BAB MEMORIAL. The last two are buried in the ENFIDAVILLE WAR CEMETERY as they died of wounds soon after the attack.