Bombardier Thomas Wilkinson
Royal Marines Artillery

Sebastopol, Crimea

"On 7th June 1855 at the Battle of Sebastopol Bombardier Wilkinson was especially recommended for gallant conduct in the advanced Batteries in placing sandbags to repair the work under a galling fire; his name having been sent up on the occasion as worthy of special notice by the Commanding Officer of the Artillery of the Right Attack.
(Letter from Colonel Wesley, Deputy Adjutant General, Royal Marines.)"
London Gazette _ 24th February 1857
He was later a Sergeant Instructor for Auxiliary Forces and was eventually invalided from the Royal Marines Aretillery on 12th October 1859.
As well as the VC, Wilkinson also received the French Legion of Honour, the Turkish Crimea Medal and the British Crimea Medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.
He died, aged 55, in York on 22nd September 1887 where he is buried. The memorial stone raised by his comrades reads:-
"Honour the brave _ To the memory of Thomas Wilkinson, pensioner RMA, who died in the City of York 22nd September 1887 and was interred with full military honours."