Career
Born and educated in England, West. B. Wilkinson emigrated from Pendleton, City of Salford to South Australia around 1875 after his doctor ordered him to seek a warmer climate. On arrival, he found employment with the National Bank of Australasia, and a year later joined John Francis Davey in founding Davey & Wilkinson of Redhill, Crystal Brook. After three years, Davey retired and the firm became part of Ferry, Moore, and Wilkinson.
In 1879 Wilkinson moved to Adelaide to manage the company"s head office.
In 1895 he left for London, where he stayed for six years, running the firm"s London office. He founded the Australasian Club in London, and became its chairman.
Health failing, he returned to Adelaide, joined the Stock Exchange, and started a real estate business, which became Wilkinson, Sando, and Wyles, Limited. He retired in 1922. During the war Wilkinson held the offices of President of the North Adelaide Circle of the Australian Division (men"s section) of the British Red Cross Society and President of the Men"s Tobacco Auxiliary (South Australian division) of the Australian Comforts" Fund.
He died at his home at 61 Molesworth Street, North Adelaide.
Wilkinson Lane, Beulah Park was named for him (his company subdivided part of section 288 in 1914). On 4 August 1886 West. B. Wilkinson married Emily Jane Mathilde "Lily" Peterswald, a daughter of William John Peterswald (ca1829 – 30 August 1896), ex-Commissioner of Police. Keith Wilkinson
Ross Wilkinson
Irene de Saint Croix Wilkinson married (Arden) Seymour Hawker of "Bungaree", Clare on 20 July 1910, later lived at 51 Pennlngton terrace, North Adelaide.