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This data is related to World War 2
Sergeant

Ian Leslie Wilkinson

Service number 1238788
Military unit 81 OTU Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Address Unknown
Date of birth
Date of death 31 Jan 1944 (25 years old)
Place of birth Carlisle
Employment, education or hobbies

He entered Nottingham High School in 1929 aged 10. First XV rugby First XI cricket. 1938 Mayor’s Prize for consistent industry in school work. Studied architecture either at University College Nottingham or Liverpool University.

Family history

Son of JH Wilkinson an insurance official of 17 Trent Boulevard, West Bridgford, Nottingham.

Military history

31/1/1944 an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley VLA765 from Whitchurch Heath in Shropshire on training exercise crashed near Hardwick between Dilhorne and Caverswall. Of the 5 man crew only rear gunner Tom Weightman survived.
Enquiry found Wilkinson, the pilot, descended to determine his position and flew into rising ground at 8.30am and caught fire. Weightman walked to a nearby mine to raise the alarm.
Aircraft accident blackspot. 1942-54 there were 5 crashes on the rising ground. Also killed with Wilkinson were:

George Victor Bourne, John Fredwrick Cusworth, Andrew Harkes Robertson

Extra information

Unknown

Photographs