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Rank : Brigadier

Army Number : 23812

Unit : 2nd Bn (Chindits)

Biography :

Educated at Gresham's School, Holt, and at RMC Sandhurst, 'Jack' Wilkinson was commissioned into The Norfolk Regiment on 31.1.1924, serving in 1st Bn in Cyprus, Egypt, Shanghai, Malaya and India until 1938. He was then attached to the Palestine Police 29.9.1938-18.7.1941, and then served with 2nd Bn Queen's Royal Regt (West Surrey) in Syria. Joined 2nd Leicesters as 2IC in May 1941 in Tobruk, serving with it until August 1944, in Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Ceylon and India, being CO from 16.3.1943 until 28.8.1944, including the 2nd Chindit Expedition in Burma when he also commanded the 2nd Bn's 17 Column. Awarded the D.S.O. for his actions as CO at Indaw, Burma, 26-30 Mar 1944 (L.G. 22.6.1944). As a Brigadier he commanded 77th (Indian) Parachute Brigade 1945-47. Commandant Small Arms School, Hythe 1947-49. Commander 4th Guards Brigade 1949-50, and 149th (West Riding) Infantry Brigade (TA) 1950-53. He retired from the Army on 18.11.1953. He was the last Colonel The Royal Norfolk Regiment 1951-59.

Date of Birth : 20.11.1903

Date of Death : 18.12.1998

Place of Death : Norfolk

Civil Occupation : Farmer in Norfolk

Period of Service : 1924-53

Conflicts : WW2

Places Served : Cyprus, Egypt, China, Malaya, India, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Ceylon, Burma