DEATH OF A WELLINGTON OFFICER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2577, 27 September 1915, Page 6

DEATH OF A WELLINGTON OFFICER

CAPTAIN R: W. WILKINSON. General regret will be expressed at tlio news of the deatli 'of Captain RogeJs William Wilkinson, of AVellingtpn, wliich was received by cable by his father-in-law, Mr. Richard Evatt, of Brougham Street, at a late hour on Friday night. His death was due to meningitis, which supervened on severe wounds in tlie face caused by* bursting shrapnel. His death occurred at London on Wednesday last. Tlio deceased officer, who was about tliirtyfive years of age, was a native of Dunedin, and was a brother of Mr. John Wilkinson, solicitor, of that city, and Mr. Alex Wilkinson, formerly of the Wellington College staff, who died in Johannesburg sonio years ago. Mr. Frank Wilkinson, in business in Dunedin, is another brother, and Sirs. David Caldwell, of Tologa Bay, and Mrs. (Dr.) Bissett-Shed, of England, are his sisters.. • Captain Wilkinson, who was educated at tho Otago Boys' High School, had considerable experience in the South African War, and on returning to Now .Zealand was employed in the dairying division of the Agricultural Departmeii'ti, but ill later years ttas tho .Wellington manager for tho Neuchatel Asphalt Company. He held the rank of captain ill the. 6th (Wellington) 'Regiment, and was an immenso enthusiast in everything appertaining to mili■tary maters. Ho was the author of a useful and instructive booklot entitled "Tips for Territorials," which is full of sound advice. When <the present war broke out. he volunteered for service at once, and was dispatched to Samoa, where hq remained for some six months., On his return ho' was appointed to the ,4th Reinforcements, \niicli left for Egypt in April last. Tliero ho was appointed commanding officer of tho Reinforcements Camp at Zeitonn, '-where he remained, for two months before being ordered to Gallipoli. There he was severely wounded in. the face, and was subsequently ordered to England for treatment. Captain Wilkinson was high-spirited- and sociable in disposition,.'and was a muchcstoemud member of the Wellington Savage Club. He leaves a widow and two children.