1897 Jubilee Medal L.C.C. Metropolitan Fire Brigade (WILLIAM H. WILKS); 1902 Coronation Medal L.C.C. M.F.B. (WILLIAM H. WILKS); 1911 London Fire Brigade Coronation Medal (FIREMAN W.H. WILKS.); London Fire Brigade Good Service Medal (WILLIAM H WILKS)
William Thomas Henry Frederick Wilks (to give him his full names) was born in Yarmouth on 18 February 1869. He served as a Fireman with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, London and was in their employ when he was pensioned after 25 years service in February 1914. He has been "zealous and faithful" according to the Fire Brigade Committee of the London County Council in the Daily Express of 5 February 1914. He was then transferred to the General Post Office (Secretary's Office) in 1915.
He had an interesting history - it was reported in 1904 that "while working at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Southwark , Fireman W.H. Wilks, of Catford Station had his left thigh fractured by a heavy boiler falling from a trolley. He was removed in an unconscious condition to Guy's Hospital, where he is progressing favourably."
According to the 1911 census he was a Fireman with the L.C.C., living with his family at the Fire Station in Mile End Road, London. He was one of the "heroes of London" (Fire Brigade) who was decorated in a display at Battersea Park in June 1912, receiving a certificate for bravery.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Fire Inspector with the General Post Office living at 10 Ravenstone Road, Leytonstone. He died there on 17 April 1946.
Medals are in good condition unless indicated otherwise. Sold with some research.
