Albert Edward Wilkes, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The Battalion was formed at Wrexham on 16 October 1914 as part of K3 and attached to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. It moved to Codford St Mary but by November 1914 was in billets in Bournemouth. It moved then to Romsey on 29 April 1915 and onto Aldershot on 3 June 1915. It landed at Boulogne 27 September 1915. On 15 October 1915 it transferred with the Brigade to 3rd Division. On 8 February 1918 it was disbanded in France with the men going to 8th Entrenching Battalion.

Born at Holyhead in 1878, the son of Robert Morris Wilkes and Annie Tyson Wilkes (nee Moore). In 1881 he and his family lived at Millbank Gardens, Holyhead with brothers Robert M (13), John (8), William R (5) and Albert E (2) together with sister Elizabeth (17), a Dressmaker. Also at this address was his widowed paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wilkes (80). His father was born in Holyhead and was employed as an Engine Fitter. His mother originated from Liverpool. At one time the family lived at Monks, Cheshire. In 1891 the family resided at 8 Ponthwfa Terrace, Holyhead. His parents married at Nantwich in 1860. In 1904 he married Kate Bradley at Wolverhampton.

In 1911 they were living with their children, Robert Morris (5), Primrose Nelly (2) and Sarah Ann (10 months) at 16 Manby Street, Wolverhampton. He was employed as a Carpenter. In 1912 a son Albert G Wilkes was born, followed in 1914 by another son, John E Wilkes.

Lance Corporal Wilkes enlisted at Wolverhampton and arrived with the Battalion in France on 27 September 1915. At the time of his death the 10th Battalion RWF were at Ypres helping to defend the salient and were positioned close to the Ypres-Comines Canal, near to Hill 60. On 14 February 1916 German troops attacked and gained a vital strategic area known as the "Bluff". The 76th Brigade of the 3rd Division were ordered to join with the 17th Division and recapture the "Bluff". Although planned for the 29 February, the attack eventually took place on 2 March 1916. Whilst preparations for the attack were in progress the Battalion were in the front line from 16 - 23 February 1916. During this time they were subjected to heavy shelling. The Battalion War Diary for this period records the loss of 3 Officers killed and 3 wounded and 24 Ordinary Ranks killed and 41 wounded. It was probable that Lance Corporal Wilkes was one of 6 men recorded as killed on 18/19 February 1916.

He left behind a widow and 5 young children. His wife later married Benjamin Evans at Wolverhampton in 1920.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 22. He has no known grave. He is remembered on a family grave at St. Seiriol's Church, Holyhead.