Peter Wilks (1920-1982) [2658925, Guardsman, Coldstream Guards]

[Dave Pattern]

• born 3 February 1920 (baptismal record) or 3 November 1920 (death registration)
• baptised 20 February 1921 at All Hallows, Kirkburton
• son of Joseph Wilks & Ethel (née Bates)
• married Marian Thompson in 1950
• died 31 May 1982 in Lancashire (lived at 20 Pedder Street, Morecambe)

Notes:

• father was the landlord of the Smiths Arms, Highburton

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Huddersfield Examiner (12/Oct/1940):

KIRKBURTON GUARDSMAN A PRISONER

Guardsman Peter Wilks, of Paddock, Kirkburton, who was reported missing as from May 15, is a prisoner of war in Germany. This welcome news was received by his mother this morning.

Guardsman Wilks, who joined the Coldstream Guards on May 15, 1939, was formerly employed by Mr. Ashley Brook, of the A.B.C. Garage, Huddersfield. As a boy he attended Kirkburton Church School. He is nineteen years of age.

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (01/May/1945):

First Kirkburton Prisoner of War Returns

Flags and bunting were flying at 5, Laneside Villas, Kirkburton, on Saturday morning to welcome home Guardsman Peter Wilks, of that address, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for nearly five years. He joined the Coldstream Guards in May, 1939, and was wounded and taken prisoner exactly one year later to the day at Louvain, Belgium.

After spending eight months in a Belgian hospital, where he was well treated, he was removed to Germany. Following a short spell in hospital there, he was sent to Stalag 9C, from which he was taken every day to work in the salt mines close by. He worked for three years underground, and after complaining about his wound, was allowed to work on the surface.

Guardsman Wilks seems to have been fairly well treated, but food was the biggest bugbear, and he can hardly realise that he can eat as much bread as he likes, because his ration of bread in Germany was a bare two slices each day. Like many more, he says that the Red Cross parcels were heaven-sent, and kept both their spirits and bodies up. He would like to thank the Red Cross (especially the Huddersfield section) for what they have done.

The camp in which Guardsman Wilks had been so long was relieved by the Americans on April 16, and he is now spending six weeks’ leave with his mother, after which he will go into a London hospital, for the removal of shrapnel in his back. Before joining the Forces he was employed by Messrs. Astley Brook and Co., Ltd., Leeds Road, Huddersfield, and was educated at the Church and Modern Schools, Kirkburton.

Huddersfield Examiner (05/May/1945) – Back Home from Prison Camps

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