Francis Hilton Wilkes

Rank:

Captain

Unit at enlistment:

Royal Canadian Dragoons

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Toronto, Ontario - Unknown Cemetery

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

121 Darling Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

121 Darling Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Architect

Employer:

McGill University

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX September 5, 1914

Sweater Coats Appreciated – Letter of Thanks Received by Mrs. Cockshutt From Dragoons at Valcartier

The 21 members of the 25th Brant Dragoons at Valcartier have received with very hearty thanks 21 sweater coats presented to them on behalf of the wives and mothers of the officers of the regiment. Their appreciation has in part been stated in the following letter received by Mrs. Harry Cockshutt, wife of Hon. Col. Harry Cockshutt the 25th Brant Dragoons.

September 1, 1914
Valcartier Camp

Dear Miss Cockshutt,

Today I received 21 magnificent coat sweaters which were immediately distributed among the officers and men of the first detachment from the 25th Brant Dragoons.

It falls to a very poor writer to express the appreciation and joy of all, as receiving such a gift. The coat sweaters indeed make a striking contrast to the rough and ready life of a military camp.

Please thank all the ladies who so generously gave their time and money to make 21 of us so fortunate. We all hope that our cheers reach you.

Yours fatefully,

F. Hilton Wilkes
Lt. O.C., 25th B.D. Detach

BX April 14, 1915

Being Taught Art of War

The Canadian troops yet remaining in England are not learning theoretical work wholly. Getting up early in the morning, tramping ten or 15 miles to a given destination, there to fight a sham battle, and then a march back is an oft repeated task.

Lieutenant F. Hilton Wilkes, son of Lieut.-Col. A.J. Wilkes, who is stationed at Maresfield, Sussex, writes home an interesting letter to his parents here. He is with the mounted men of the First Canadian Contingent. In part he writes:

“On Wednesday at 1.30 a.m. the adjutant came around the bungalow ordering a hasty ‘turn out.’ The usual rush took place and by 3 a.m., we were all mounted with our saddles packed. We marched all night and at dawn attacked a trench occupied by a skeleton enemy. The artillery were sending of blanks and ‘blares’ and star shells were sent up at intervals just like the real thing. We reached camp again at 7 a.m. The pow-wow took place at 11.30.

“On Friday at about 2.30 a special order was sent around to turn out at once in full kit (meaning all our personal was to be packed up and put on the transport). Some of us thought we were off, but it only proved to be a 10 mile march.

“At 4.45 on Saturday morning the ‘Turn out’ was ordered. Everything was packed up and the men were all issued with 50 rounds of live ammunition.’ I thought the Germans had made an invasion or that we were off to Flanders. At 7 a.m. we left and marched toward the south coast. We passed through many villages, and at last arrived at Lewes. Then we continued on towards Brighton, sometimes trotting, sometimes walking. We took up a commanding position on the height overlooking the south coast near Brighton. The whole southern army was there, artillery, cavalry, infantry, etc. Then we turned homeward to the utter disgust of the men. We reached here about 4.30. None of us had had a bite to eat since 5.30 a.m. I happened to be regimental orderly officer, so couldn’t turn in until after 10 p.m.

“Had expected to go to London, but all leave was cancelled. Saw Col. Leonard and had a chat with him for a short time.”

BX July 31, 1915

Dragoons Now in Trenches in France – Interesting Letter Received From Lieutenant Francis Hilton Wilkes in France

Major Gordon J. Smith, of the 25th Brant Dragoons, this morning received a very interesting letter from Lieutenant Hilton Wilkes, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. The letter is dated on July 16, and is sent from somewhere in Belgium.

In the letter Lieut. Wilkes says in part that the Dragoons have been occupying rather important positions. He himself has been in charge of several reconnaissance parties, and on the date that the letter was written, he had been in the trenches knee deep in mud. “The Huns have been shelling us today, but up to date no casualties have occurred. A howitzer battery just behind us is replying with considerable force. There goes a signal now for the men to get under cover.”

In concluding his letter, Lieut. Wilkes states that the Dragoons have been highly complemented by several of the officers on their efficient work.

BX January 6, 1916

“Something From Home” Greatly Appreciated by Men in Trenches – Gifts of Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E. Were Made Very Welcome at Christmas Time – Letters Received From Some of the Recipients Tell of the Conditions Under Which Fight is Made

To a man on active service, the greatest luxury obtainable is “something from home.” When the Christmas gifts, forwarded by Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E., to officers at the front were received on the firing line, the joy was great. In terms of deep gratitude the recipients have replied to the donors, in the following letters among others:

December 14, 1915
Brant Chapter I.O.D.E.

Dear Madames,

Many thanks for your thoughtful gift which reached me today. It is indeed fine to know that you are thought of by those at home.

Yours sincerely,

F. Hilton Wilkes

BX May 3, 1915

Notice Not Fulfilled

Col. and Mrs. A.J. Wilkes have received a letter from their son, Lieut. Hilton Wilkes, at the cavalry camp at Canterbury, stating that they had just received orders to pack their transport and be ready to move on an instants notice. They then (April 18) are anxiously waiting for the next move, which was expected to be an order for entrainment for the Dardanelles or Egypt, but this had not come within two weeks after that, for it will be remembered that last week Lieut. Ran. Wilkes, his brother, was injured in a motorcycle accident, and Lieut. Hilton Wilkes wired the news to his parents here assuring them that he and his sister Miss Marjorie, who is in England were looking after him. This is an indication that his troop had not up to that time at least been ordered abroad.

BX April 14, 1915

Family With Proud Record – Miss Marjorie Hilton Wilkes Leaves for War Zone – Three Brothers There Already

Miss Marjorie Wilkes, daughter of Colonel and Mrs. A.J. Wilkes, left the city on Monday evening for New York, there to proceed with Lady Drummond’s party to do war service in England. The party, which includes Miss Antoinette Parker, of Ottawa, formerly of this city, has been organized to constitute an enquiry and correspondence bureau for wounded Canadians under treatment in Old Country hospitals. The proposal is to make enquiries concerning the relatives and friends of the soldiers and to keep them informed as to the progress of the wounded fighting men to write letters for the patients unable to carry on their own correspondence and in various other ways to help the disabled men.

Miss Wilkes’ departure constitutes the fourth in a family of five children. Lieutenant Alfred Burton Wilkes is with the McGill University base hospital contingent; Lieutenant Francis Hilton Wilkes is with the Royal Canadian Dragoons; Lieutenant James Frederick Ransom Wilkes is with the Royal Field Artillery, and now Miss Marjorie will do her part. Little Miss Gwendolyn Wilkes is the only member of the family now at home with Col. and Mrs. Wilkes.

Lady Drummond’s party will sail for New York on the White Star Liner, Arabic. Mrs. Wilkes accompanied her daughter to the American metropolis.

Globe and Mail – June 20, 1983

WILKES, Hilton (Architect late of Royal Canadian Dragoons and the Governor General Horse Guards. Husband of Victoria Goodham, father of John, Peter, James and Edward. Grandfather of twelve and great-grandfather of three. Funeral service Monday June 20 at 4 p.m. at St. James-the-Less, 635 Parliament St., Toronto.