Keith was at the school from 1955-1967 and will be sadly missed by his friends, family and all who knew him at the School.

We are conscious that many people from this time at school may not be in contact with us and we would be very grateful if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is the usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for him in the next OI Journal and would be very grateful if anyone felt they could come forward to write one. Alternatively, if you know of any stories or memories, please pass them on so we could put them together for the publication. Address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school.

With best wishes,

Iain Chesterman

OI Chairman

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Barry Massey (OI 1954-61)

Keith was moving into Year One in the Upper School when I was in the Sixth Form. Hope he is playing a perfect game where he has gone to.

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Paul St John Turner (OI 1958-68)

I was saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Keith Wilkinson. Although I was a couple of years below him at school, we overlapped as boarders for some nine years, and I remember him well as a stalwart of both Junior House and Westwood, at which I am sure he became head monitor and head of house respectively.  As well as his sporting prowess, he was ever cheerful and encouraging to others. My condolences to all his family and friends, I know he will be widely missed.

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Mike Simpson (OI 19577-68)

Keith was captain of the 1st XV (in 1966 I believe), this was when a number of Lower Sixth students (including me, Doug Bostock, Armand Staunton and ‘Tini’ Martin) joined those who were a year above us and who were already established in the XV; we were understandably nervous but very privileged to have been selected; Keith was a marvellous player and leader, encouraging and inspirational and as such he soon gained our respect and admiration.

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Obituary in The Globe and Mail:

https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/keith-wilkinson-obituary?n=keith-wilkinson&pid=201304461&utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ObitShare_PowerInbox_Neustar_012522&utm_content=ViewObituary&sfmc_id=203308323&env=d3b325cc87fcf535ab5d3c72907457faec4254a4

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Ian Chapman (OI 1957-62)

I was Head of House at Westwood in 1961/2 and Keith was a newly arrived Junior with such eminences as Henry Staunton, Barry Squirrel and other great characters. The cohort were all competitive from the off, and really keen to make their mark for the House and School in all forms of sports and all the other extra curricular activities. Keith was always at the forefront, and it was evident from day one, that he was going to be very successful at Ipswich and in life. A sad and untimely loss.

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Christopher Cundy (OI 1962-69)

A personal memory of Keith Wilkinson OI 1955-67

I remember Keith well as a popular and respected Head of School. He was also Head of my house (Westwood) and Captain of the 1st XV. Someone many of us looked up to.

Although it was 56 years ago, I still have a vivid memory of the day Keith saved me from a beating.

Discipline could be harsh back in the sixties, and it wasn’t hard qualifying to be on the receiving end of a master’s cane or a prefect’s gym shoe. 

One morning break in the third form, I was caught red-handed eating crisps in the classroom by a sixth form prefect. A double breach of the school rules!

It was only a matter of time before I would be called in to the prefects for the customary “six of the best”.

At lunch I had the good fortune to sit next to Keith and was given the opportunity to relate my predicament. Thanks to him, the summons to the Prefect’s room never came!

R.I.P. Keith and sincere condolences to all the family and friends.

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Raymond Fenning (OI 1957-67)

I was contemporary with Keith and enjoyed our many years at school. We were boarders together in Junior House under Mr Hugh Gleave who coached our house rugby team into a useful unit with Keith in the vanguard. His considerable skill was improved by his determination and ability to think.

He did not just shine on the rugby pitch, but in other sports and in academic achievement. However the rugby is what I remember most clearly.

After Junior House Keith went to Westwood and I went to School House. I especially recall one house match between us when we had a much stronger team on paper, but on the pitch we were beaten mainly due to Keith’s ability to out think us.

We were in the first fifteen together under his captaincy and clearly the star of the team. I read the match reports recently and he is referred to as the one who lead by example. As well as being a ferocious tackler he had a convincing dummy and was a very elusive runner.

He was head boy and one of a few in our year to go to Oxbridge. He was involved in much of school life and a good friend.

At Cambridge he played many times for the university, but did not get a blue as the other player at scrum half was an England international.

He did play an international at Twickenham representing Canada.

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