9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
25/05/1885
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
31
Summary
Jacob Wilkinson was born on 25th May 1885, one of at least children of Henry and Isabella Wilkinson of Blackhill, Cookstown. The family had moved from Killycurragh to the Blackhill. Jacob worked at Adair’s Mill, Greenvale, Cookstown. Corporal Jacob Wilkinson was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
Further Information
Jacob Wilkinson was the third youngest child of Henry and Isabella Wilkinson. Henry Wilkinson and Isabella Black were married on 29th January 1869 in the district of Cookstown.
Jacob was born on 25th May 1885 in the district of Cookstown. He was on of thirteen children, ten surviving, all born in the district.
Speculated family: Henry Wilkinson, Isabella Wilkinson, Samuel Wilkinson (born 2nd March 1869), Alexander Wilkinson (born 4th May 1870), Henry Wilkinson (born 6th January 1872), Julia Wilkinson (born 12th August 1873), John Wilkinson (born 7th November 1874), Thomas Wilkinson (born 14th October 1875), Ellen Wilkinson (born 4th July 1877), Joseph Wilkinson (born 5th October 1877), King Wilkinson (born 17th November 1879), Isabella Wilkinson (born 17th November 1879, died 21st October 1910, age 24?), Allan Wilkinson (born 17th November 1879, died 5th April 1884, age 0?), Jacob Wilkinson (born 25th May 1885), Rebecca Wilkinson (born 12th May 1887), Isaac Wilkinson (born 6th June 1889).
The family moved from Killycurragh (Orritor), to the Blackhill.
The 1901 census lists Jacob as age 15, living with the family at house 19 in Blackhill, Derryloran, Cookstown. Jacob was working at Adair’s Mill, Greenvale, Cookstown. The factory was a stone throw away from his home. His father was a farm labourer.
The 1911 census lists Jacob as age '21', living with the family at house 21 in Derryloran Town, Cookstown. Jacob was s mill worker.
Jacob was a close friend to John McCaffrey (killed in action on 16th November 1914) who he lived next door to, and played football with for the local Greenvale Swifts and often referred to John in his correspondence.
Jacob’s older brother, King William Wilkinson had served overseas in India and China, in 1904-1906.
Jacob enlisted with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and trained at Randalstown before moving out with the 36th (Ulster) Division to Seaford, England and then to France
Private Jacob Wilkinson arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
1916
Private Jacob Wilkinson was promoted to the rank of Corporal shortly before the Somme Offensive.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th July 1916:
Mr Jacob Wilkinson, 9th Inniskillings, has been promoted to corporal.
Corporal Jacob Wilkinson was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
Jacob’s father, Henry, received a postcard from Jacob on 16th July 1916, stating that he was quite well. It appears that the postcard was not sent on until after that fateful morning.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916:
Mr Henry Wilkinson, Blackhill, Cookstown, whose son Jacob had been reported missing, has received a postcard from the front, dated 16th July 1916, stating he was quite well.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th August 1916:
Private W J Black, writing to his mother at Tattykeel says :- ‘I am sorry to have to say I have got no word about Isaac Black (Sandholes) or Jacob Wilkinson as yet, but I am living in hopes for the best.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 12th August 1916:
Corporal Jacob Wilkinson, whose mother resides at Blackhill, Cookstown, is officially reported missing since 1st July. He joined the Ulster Division on its formation, prior to which he had been an employee of Messrs. Adair, Cookstown.
Corporal Jacob Wilkinson has no known grave and is commemorated on panels 4D-5B on Thiepval Memorial, France.
Corporal Jacob Wilkinson is commemorated locally on Molesworth Street Presbyterian Church WWI Roll of Honour and also on Cookstown Cenotaph.
The CWGC record Corporal Jacob Wilkinson as the son of Henry and Isabella Wilkinson of 1 Black Hill, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
