Coronavirus marks sad end of an era for Droylsden family

When George Francis Wilkinson passed away in a hospice in Colchester on April 13, it marked the end of an era for one large Droylsden family.

For George was the last survivor of sixteen Wilkinson siblings, all born and raised in the town.

George Francis Wilkinson was born on September 13, 1932, to Hannah and Harry Wilkinson (pictured below). He was preceded by James, Hannah, Zilpah Mary, Martha Alice, Harry, Albert, Mary Ann, Eveline, Herbert, Thomas, Edith Marion, Edward, Arthur, Pauline Frances and June.

He was Francis to his parents and siblings, but later, his wife and children would call him George.

Hannah and Harry raised their large family in the area, with many working in the local factories such as Robertson’s Jam and Christy’s.

A well-known family in Droylsden, many Wilkinson descendants still live in the area, although quite a few moved abroad.

For example, the eldest sibling James, known as Jim, emigrated to Canada and became a Major with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force. He is pictured below saluting King George VI and the Queen Mother, when he was tasked with driving them round on a visit to the country.

George himself saw the world with the Merchant Navy and later joined the RAF. After retiring aged 55, he lived in Spain in later life. He enjoyed annual visits to see his daughter Sharan, who lives in Oklahoma, often staying for three months at a time.

Towards the end, he moved to Colchester to live with his other daughter, Gillian, where he sadly died in hospice after contracting coronavirus earlier this month.

Remembering her father and paying tribute to him, Gillian said: “Daddy ran away to sea as a youngster and worked as a galley boy in the Merchant Navy. Typical Wilkinson, he could turn his hand to anything (always could) and used to sell contraband! 

“In winter, the ships got frozen on the Canadian Rivers so he would travel to the Caribbean and work around there, then back in time for the Spring melt, thus making money to support his mum & dad (being the baby!) and then his family.

“He was conscripted but refused to follow his brothers into Navy & Army choosing instead the RAF and he stayed on until he retired at 55! He loved his life, travelling everywhere.

“Daddy was an intelligent man who never got to have a high school education but managed to study hard and obtain diplomas and achievements throughout his career.  I’m so sad that a virus took his life, but proud that he will be remembered and loved by so many.”

George’s great-niece Stephanie Hogan, a neighbourhood librarian in Tameside, added: “It wasn’t an easy life for the Wilkinson’s at all but all of the siblings were very close and well-loved.

“There will be no large family funeral due to the current crisis. Although we may not have seen him for a long time, it would have been lovely to celebrate his life and that of all the Wilkinson siblings.”

Although there will be no large family funeral for George, he will be no less remembered.