Ernest Berdoe Wilkinson

Ernest Berdoe Wilkinson was commissioned in the Lincolnshire Regiment from the Militia on 25 November 1885. He served in the Burma (1885–7) and Nile Expeditions (1898, 1899) and was Adjutant 1st Lincolnshire (May 1894–October 1897). Wilkinson was attached to the Egyptian Army from October 1897 until his retirement from the Army in the rank of major on 9 October 1907. He was 43.

He was recalled from the Reserve of Officers on the outbreak of the European War and took command of 8th (Service) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, part of 63rd Brigade, 21st Division. He was CO 8th Lincolnshire until 3 September 1915, when he was promoted to brigade command as GOC 62nd Brigade. He was 51.

His appointment is indicative of the British Army’s dilemma in finding suitable men to command its rapidly expanding formations. He had been out of the service for seven years. He had never even commanded a battalion in the field. And just over three weeks after he took command of 63rd Brigade it was thrown into action at Loos.

Wilkinson survived the battle and the shattered 21st Division’s reconstruction under Claud Jacob, but David Campbell (who was appointed GOC 21st Division in May 1916) very quickly had him sent home.