| Description | The archive does provide valuable material for the study of the life of a Fabian Socialist educator, politician and clergyman during the first half of the 20th century. It also provides much inside information on the general life of Erith and district and on the area's local government politics and services. There is also notable material on the development of the local Labour Party from its early predecessor branches and on the effect of two world wars on the local community. The archive contains a great deal of rare and diverse printed "ephemera" of political, ecclesiastical and recreational character.
Researchers interested in particular aspects of Wilkinson's life, such as the Labour Party or Erith Council matters, are advised to consult the general files (PEJWW/1/1-39), as well as the relevant subject file, for the periods in which they are interested, as they also contain much of relevance to each subject area. |
| Administrative History | The Rev. Wilkinson was an active participant in local government, education service, church and political life of Erith throughout the first half of the 20th century. Himself educated at Bristol Grammar School and subsequently at the universities of Aberstwyth and Bristol, he became a school teacher in Erith in 1905 and went on to wide-ranging participation in local activities. He was an early associate of the Fabian movement and was at various times President of Erith Teachers' Association and Secretary of Erith Trades Council, a member of Erith Urban District Council from 1920-3, and the Borough of Erith's first Mayor in 1938-9. He was also an active member of Kent's County Council and Education Committee; of the Dartford Board of Guardians; of Erith Council's Assessment and Sewerage Committes and of the local Labour Party. In later life he was appointed Mayor's Chaplain and honorary Borough Historian. In 1918 he was appointed curate of Christ Church Deptford and was subsequently associated with local churches in Dartford and Belvedere. |