Edward Eric Wilkinson was born on the 12th January 1900 at Tunnel End in Preston Brook. He was the son of Arthur Stanley Wilkinson (born Bartington near Little Leigh) and his wife Rose Ellen (nee Goodall) who was born at Kidsgrove in Staffordshire. The Goodall family had moved to Clifton village near Runcorn when Rose Ellen was less than five years old.
When Edward Eric’s parents married in early 1899 they were both living in Rocksavage (Clifton) and their first son was born in Preston Brook. Within the year they had moved to 38, Runcorn Road in Barnton and the father was employed as a carter at a chemical works. His wife was working at home as a dressmaker. The 1901 Census showed that they now also had three-week-old Arthur (Stanway) who had been born in Barnton.
Ten years later the family were still living at the same address in Barnton (also known as Weaver View) and had two more sons, seven-year-old George Stephen and four-year-old Cyril. The father was now employed as a chemical labourer.
No known service records have survived for Edward Eric (or Eric Edward), but he did serve with the 2nd Battalion of The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, as a Private with the service number 30898. He was killed in action on 31st October 1918 in France/Flanders. He was buried as one of 145 casualties, only 62 identified, in Ingoyghem Military Cemetery, West- Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Eric’s parents received Eric’s war medals, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service in the Great War. His parents were living in Weaver View in Barnton at the time of his death. They both passed away in 1936.
Edward Eric Wilkinson was 18 years old when he died in the Great War, twelve days before the Armistice.