Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Tinsmith Robert Francis Crother Wilkinson, 24, a former pupil of Auburn North Public School, served in the AIF for over two years. When he enlisted at Holsworthy in November 1915, Wilkinson stated his previous military service as ‘Citizen Forces. First Expeditionary Forces (Invalided home)’, which suggests he had served in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF).
Wilkinson sailed on the Aeneas in December 1915, but with voyages, four months in Egypt then six months in England, Bugler Wilkinson did not arrive in France until December 1916, 13 months after enlistment. He served in the 3rd Australian General Hospital and the base depot at Rouen for five months, before marching into the 17th Battalion on 3 July 1917.
Private Wilkinson was killed in action on 9 May 1918, at the time the Australian forces had stalled the German advance on Amiens. Wilkinson had served in the AIF for two years and eight months, with active service on the front line of 10 months.
Wilkinson, along with fellow Auburn Memorial man John Shields, was buried in the Franvillers Communal Cemetery Extension. For his gravestone his next-of-kin chose the inscription: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT
Wilkinson’s next-of-kin was his sister who lived in Helena Street, Auburn. She had been receiving 3 shillings a day that Wilkinson had allocated to her, but she did not receive her brother’s effects. Wilkinson's effects were lost when the Barunga was sunk by enemy action on its way to Australia. Wilkinson’s medals were sent to his father in Auburn.
Robert Wilkinson is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Auburn North Public School Great War Roll of Honor
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
