John Wells Wilkinson

The Reverend John Wells Wilkinson (1870-1961) was a Church of England clergyman and socialist politician active in the Erith area.

Born in Bristol, he obtained an MA from Bristol University before moving to Erith in 1904 as a teacher working for the local school board. In about 1905 he was a founder member of Erith branch of the Social Democratic Federation.

Subsequently ordained as a priest he was curate at Dartford and then at Belvedere.

Active in local government, when Erith was incorporated as a borough in 1938, Wilkinson served two terms as Mayor of Erith. He was also a member of Kent County Council representing Erith.

In 1948 he returned to Bristol.