Reginald Albert Wilkins

Reg was born in Oxfordshire and whilst he had shall we say 'problems' with his parents to him the
most disturbing was the fact that he felt he never had a full education, particularly with his
father being a farm labourer and the family moving so often he felt his education suffered.
That said he was virtually self taught and went on to become extremely articulate, a word wizard and
his own man. He was extremely intelligent and when it came to general knowledge could as they say
'see anyone under the table!' when it came to quizzes.
Originally joining the TA he was anxious to join up at the outbreak of WWII .......Together with his
best friend they joined up as soon as they could, to the regular Army and both served with the Oxon
& Bucks Light Infantry throughout the war......originally taking it easy (his words) in Ireland
enjoying fishing between full battle dress exercises. Going into Europe with the liberation army he
saw his best friend, who joined with him back in 1939, killed, a memory that never left him.
The one good thing to come out of his service was his meeting as a mere colour sergeant with a
lieutenant Irene Spencer (née Smith) in Berlin in 1945. It was as they say love at first sight and
the couple married on 24 July 1948. They were never apart throughout their marriage save from when
Irene went to Yorkshire to visit her aunt and that was only for maybe a day or two at a time.
On Reg's demob he started his own business selling advertising space and then went on to run a dry
cleaning business in Surrey. Having had enough of the responsibility of being 'his own boss' Reg
sold his shop after nearly 20 years and worked for others, proving his worth as a manager in several
retail outlets, eventually taking early retirement and moving from Surrey back to his wife's
'spiritual home' in Yorkshire.
Reg and Rene had many years of relaxing and domestic bliss until Rene's passing in 2000, which Reg
found extremely hard to bear.
Alas showing the first signs of Alzheimer's disease and despite the love and support of his family
all he wanted to do was be with his beloved partner of over 50 years.... he passed away on 27
December 2001.
A gentle and loving man he is remembered for his loyalty to both friends and immediate family and is
sorely missed by them all