John Wilkinson VD (1854 - 1941)

Colonel John Wilkinson, solicitor, soldier, politician and athlete died at his home in Swift St, Albury at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the age of 87 years and two months. Colonel Wilkinson, who was everywhere regained as one of Albury's pre-eminent men, celebrated his birthday on June 22.

His funeral will take place to-day, the cortege leaving St. Matthew's Church at 3 o'clock this afternoon for the Albury cemetery.

John Wilkinson, who was associated with most of the movements which, have since proved themselves in Albury's progress, was born in England at the Isle of Shepphey at the mouth of the Thames on June 22. 1854, and came to Australia with his doctor father at the age of three.

The family, in which there were three sons and three daughters, came to Albury in 1862, but three years later moved to Sale. The following year, however, Dr. Wilkinson died, and the. family returned to Albury. At 15 John Wilkinson left school, and began to study- law, being articled to Mr. Joseph Dwyer, a solicitor at Albury, who later transferred his practice the late Mr. V. Flood Nagic, father of the present solicitors.

In March, 1881, John Wilkinson was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of N.S.W., and returned practise in Albury for over half century, being further added to the Victorian roll as well.

In 1889 he was elected member for the State Parliament for Albury, resigning two years later to devote his whole time to his business. In those early days the electorate was roughly bound by Wymah, Mullengandra, Bowna, Jindera, Brocklesby and Howlong, and meetings were addressed in various centres which were reached by horse and buggy. Mr. Wilkinson successfully contested three elections.

One of his greatest jobs and one that is of particular significance in these war days, was his intense actively in the establishment of local defence forces. Commissioned on June 22 his birthday in 1888, he became the first, last and only captain of the Albury Reserve Corps. Volunteer Infantry. This commission was still in his possession in faded and pompous phraseology but a cherished treasure.

With the various changes in the defence system that ensued. John Wilkinson maintained his enthusiasm until he became colonel, and was given charge of a vast area stretching from Holbrook (then Germanton) to Harden, Hay and Deniliquin, with the Murray river as the southern boundary.

Colonel Wilkinson had many "irons in the fire" where civic matters were concerned, the Mechanics' Institute being the more important. He was president of this organisation for 46 years without break until it wasincorporated by the council. Twice rivals Threatened the position, but he held the confidence of the members.

At his death. Colonel Wilkinson had for 48 years been president of the Albury and Wodonga Cricket Association, an office he had held since the first president resigned 14 days after he was elected.

He had also been several times president of the Lawn Tennis Association. and was a billiards and snooker player of high merit. His power as a batter in the cricket field was well known, a popular anecdote among older cricketers being that of the time the colonel hit a ball from the sportsground into the property now known as "Ranelagh". and then the home of Mr. G. A. Thomoson. This feat has never been repeated.

He had been a member of the Albury Club for almost half a century.

He is survived by two sons. Mr Maynard Wilkinson, Albury, and Dr Jeff Wilkinson, who is medical officer on the Kiewa hydro-electric scheme. His wife died in 1928, and two children, Charles and Laure the late Mrs. A. S. Mitchell) also pre-deceased him.^[4]