Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Born: 1923.
Story
Vera’s parents were Thomas Wilkinson and Annie Parkinson, both born in 1888, and they married in Durham in 1920. The couple had one son, Percy, in Durham, before they moved to the School House, Great Preston, where Thomas worked as the Chief Colliery Engineer. Whilst living in Great Preston, they had three daughters: Vera in 1923, Enid in 1925 and Margaret in 1930.
Vera joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1941. She was employed in the service as a shorthand typist. In July 1943, Vera was awarded a certificate of good service by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the H.Q. Transport Command. After the War, in July 1946, Vera who was then aged 23, was awarded the British Empire Medal (pictured below) for her good work and devotion to duty.
Kippax Roll of Honour 