WILKINS, George Rowland
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Rank:
Sergeant
Unit / Base:
9 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
London Scottish The Gordon Highlanders
Service:
Army
Service Number:
2881259
Service Record:
WO422 / Apv000603919
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Wednesday, November 5, 1919
Birthplace:
Southgate, London
Died :
Wednesday, November 25, 1970
Place died or last resided:
Winchmore Hill, Enfield
Age:
51
Lance Sergeant George Wilkins was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Italy. Member of the Commando Association.
Recommendation
Action at Monte Faito night 2/3 Feb.1944
During this action No.4 Troop, of which Lance Sergeant Wilkins was a Section Commander, acted as advance guard of the attack and was under continuous enemy artillery and mortar fire during the advance.
Throughout heavy opposition Lance Sergeant Wilkins controlled and directed his section with the utmost determination and coolness, and led them forward to the attack with efficiency and disregard to his personal safety. Although under heavy artillery amd mortar fire Lance Sergeant Wilkins succeeded in capturing a strongly defended enemy position with the assistance of only two men, the remainder of his section having become casualties. All the members of the enemy position were either killed or captured.
Throughout heavy opposition Lance Sergeant Wilkins controlled and directed his section with the utmost determination and coolness, and led them forward to the attack with efficiency and disregard to his personal safety. Although under heavy artillery amd mortar fire Lance Sergeant Wilkins succeeded in capturing a strongly defended enemy position with the assistance of only two men, the remainder of his section having become casualties. All the members of the enemy position were either killed or captured.
After the attack the Commando was ordered to withdraw, and although Lance Sergeant Wilkins was cut off from his section, he remained behind to arrange for the evacuation of casualties, which he did under continuous mortar fire. His courage and determination was an example to all the men who remained to assist the wounded, and his leadership was responsible for the lives of several of the casualties, as well as preventing the enemy force from reoccupying the position while he was organising the evacuation of casualties.
Service
20.04.1939 attested London Scottish, Gordon Highlanders; trade at time Shoe Salesman.
05.11.1940 taken on strength No.9 Commando.
05.11.1940 taken on strength No.9 Commando.
25.11.1940 No.2 Special Service Battalion (Special Service Brigade restructuring).
05.03.1941 No.9 Commando.
16.03.1941 - 04.04.1941 attached Special Training Centre (STC), Lochailort.
16.03.1941 - 04.04.1941 attached Special Training Centre (STC), Lochailort.
19.06.1941 appointed unpaid Acting Lance Corporal.
16.11.1941 - 27.11.1941 embarked on operation French coast (Operation Sunstar).
09.03.1942 - 25.03.1942 PT and Unarmed Combat course at Scottish Command Central Gym.
20.05.1942 promoted Corporal.
23.10.1942 promoted Lance Sergeant.
28.10.1942 embarked for overseas service.
06.11.1942 disembarked Gibraltar.
04.03.1943 - 15.03.1943 embarked and returned to UK.
11.09.1943 embarked for active service overseas including Italy and Greece.
02.02.1944 engaged in operations at Monte Faito, Italy. Awarded M.M.
28.03.1944 appointed Acting Sergeant, No.9. Commando.
24.09.1944 granted war substantive rank of Sergeant.
19.06.1945 embarked for UK.
26.06.1945 disembarked UK.
23.09.1945 posted Commando Group Reception Camp, Petworth.
22.10.1945 posted No.2 Commando.
16.11.1945 posted 10 Cameronians.
22.05.1946 released Class 'A' to 'Z' (T) Reserve List.
Sources
Service Record on Ancestry.
London Gazettes 36586, page 3072.
National Archives file WO373/6/454.
Obituaries in Comnando Association newsletter 52 (1971).
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