Family group:

A Great War ‘Salonika operations’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. J. Wildman, 9th Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9-16247 Sjt: R. J. Wildman. 9/R. Lanc: R.); 1914-15 Star (16247 Pte. R. J. Wildman. R. Lanc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (16247 Sjt. R. J. Wildman. R. Lanc. R.) medals unmounted, together with two ribbon bars, good very fine

Three: Able Seaman Richard Wildman, Royal Navy, who was lost in H.M. Submarine Urge when she was lost with all hands after striking a mine off Malta in April 1942

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure in card box of issued addressed to his father Mr R. J. Wildman, nearly extremely fine (7) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919:

‘He has been with his coy. since since its formation, and has done consistent good work. He has taken part in three raids and several patrol encounters, and has been three times wounded. He has shown most consistent gallantry, devotion to duty, and determination at all times. He has previously been brought to notice for distinguished conduct. The cheerful and determined way in which he tackles a difficult and dangerous task has inspired his men with absolute confidence in him.’

Richard John Wildman was born on 9 May 1892, in Guildford, Surrey, to his parents John and Jane (née Albury). At the turn of the century he was living in Lancaster with his grandfather. In April 1914, he married Mary Alice Peel while still living in Lancaster. He enlisted in the army after the outbreak of the war, answering Kitchener’s appeal for troops, and joined 9th Battalion, Royal Lancaster Regiment. He landed in France on 4 September 1915, where they formed part of the 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division stayed briefly in France, proceeding to Marseille in October from where they sailed for Salonika, arriving in November and December. The Division remained in Salonika for the duration of the war, taking part in the Battles of Horseshoe Hill (10-18 August 1916), Machukovo (13-14 September 1916), the First Battle of Doiran (24-25 April, 8-9 May 1917), and the Second Battle of Doiran (8-18 September 1918).

Wildman stayed in Lancaster after the war and died on 13 May 1958.

Richard Wildman, son of Richard John Wildman, was killed during the Second War as an Able Seaman aboard the submarine Urge, a British U-class submarine, of the second group of that class, built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 30 October 1939, and was commissioned on 12 December 1940. From 1941-42 she formed part of the 10th Submarine Flotilla based in Malta and is the only Royal Navy ship to have borne the name. Urge spent most of her career operating in the Mediterranean, where she damaged or sank a number of mostly Italian warships and merchant vessels and took part in special operations. She was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Edward P. Tomkinson, D.S.O., R.N., and was was lost with all hands on 27 April 1942, after striking a naval mine off Malta. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942, and was reported overdue on that day. Wildman is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

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