Henry Herbert Wilkinson

April 17, 1914–November 12, 2007

Harry Wilkinson was born in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra state, India, and passed away at Vancouver General Hospital 93 years later. A good innings, as he might have said. He served in Burma during the Second World War with the Chin Hills Battalion of General Bill Slim’s 14th Army, reaching the rank of major. After the Japanese surrender, he stayed with the battalion in Burma for another year, then briefly returned to England before immigrating to Canada in 1947. India and Burma would remain an indelible part of who he was, as the whole family would often hear over curry dinners. Until his death, he retained a deep respect for the Chins and Gurkhas with whom he had fought.

For many years, Harry was the secretary-manager of the Jericho Tennis Club, and before that performed a similar function at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club. He was a member of the Burma Star Association in Vancouver, and a member of the Brock House Society.

He was predeceased by sisters Sheila Jowers and Pat Collier, and niece Carole More. He is survived by nieces Penelope Ball and Jill Sydneysmith, nephews Nicholas Collier, Peter Jowers, and Robin Jowers, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and their children. A social gentleman who loved a good party, Harry had many friends. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of a formal service and flowers, he requested that anyone wishing to make a donation in his name could contribute to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon.