WILKINSON, Harold? b c1898 NE England

[fullscott]

If this lad is "yours" ... be prepared for some very difficult deciphering - he is a born liar & bad lad. Born probably in Whitehaven (Cumberland) or Clitheroe (Lancashire), did not want to be in the Army (although he re-enlisted in 1919 and again in 1921, probably for the money!) and was told by the Police to stay away from Clitheroe.

Attested in August 1916, called up in May 1917 - all in the name of HAROLD SCOTT. Signed a declaration in 1917 that his name was HAROLD WILKINSON. Declared age in 1916 - 18yr ... and when he signed up in 1919 it was still 18yr. (No obvious birth registration in freebmd - perhaps even "Harold" is a lie?)

Definite information (from a Police report) - Grandmother: AMELIA WILKINSON (Clitheroe); Aunt: ADA WILKINSON (Clitheroe).
Probably correct - Mother: JANE KENNEDY (Whitehaven & Clitheroe); Sister: MARY ALICE KENNEDY (Padiham, Lancs)

Army Record (all in the name of SCOTT): August 1916- September 1917; June 1919-August 1919; February 1921-July1921

Reg Nos: 13797 ASC; 330019 ASC Remounts; 179959 Machine Gun Corps; 3379694 E Lancs; 220 E Lancs.

Anc****y, SCO, pages 105188-105233 and 105079-105137

[fullscott]

And there's more! (Sorry, I forgot to note that this is in the WW1 Service Records - WO 363)

He enlisted again (still using the name Harold Scott) in March 1920, and was in the Military Hospital at Ashton under Lyne, suffering from "Hysteria". He absconded and was apprehended in Blackburn. A Board of Inquiry found him "Feeble Minded" and epileptic. The phrase "Mentally Deficient" is also used. And there is an almost illegible letter from him saying that he will not go back to the Hospital.

It would appear that he served 3 months in France, in 1916, before being hospitalised. So perhaps this can all be put down to the traumas suffered.

In this 1920 attestation, he declares his age as 19yr 91d, born 25 December 1900, mother MARY ALICE (at Whitehaven).

What a sad, sad record.

Pte 90273, Manchester Regt, March 1920 - July 1920.

Anc****y, SCO, pages 105267 to 105347