Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private Rex Wilkins
Service No: SX 28018
Date of Birth: 20th July 1922
Place of Birth: Naracoorte, SA
Enlisted: 30th December 1942
Locality on Enlistment: Kalangadoo, SA
Age on Enlistment: 23 years
Occupation: Truck Driver
Place and date of Discharge:Hampstead, SA 14th January 1946
Next of Kin: Father – Rupert Wilfred Wilkins
Additional Service Number: S 60999
26th of December 1941 to 29th of December 1942, Citizens Military Forces
30th of December 1942 to 14th of January 1946, 5th Australian Port Operating Company

Private Rex Wilkins was born in Naracoorte, one of three brothers and one sister. During his younger years he attended the Kalangadoo Primary School. At the age of 15 Rex started work at the Kalangadoo Cheese Factory where he worked for two years, during this time it was owned by H.J. Finlayson.
At the age of 22 years Rex joined the Citizens Military Forces and one year later signed up for the A.I.F.
After training Rex Wilkins was transferred to Darwin on the 17th April 1943 and remained there until 22nd of May 1944. He has only been in Darwin for two weeks when on the 2nd of May 1943 the Japanese attacked Darwin and by the 12th Of November 1943 there had been 64 attacks on the top end; 46 of those on Darwin itself.
In April 1945 Private Rex Wilkins left from Brisbane on the ‘Sea Ray’ for Morotai, a major base set up for U.S. and Australian Airforce and Naval operations. Private Rex Wilkins served for almost a year on active service at Morotai helping to defend the Japanese forces.
Rex and Dora Jean Skinner were married at St Pauls Church in Adelaide; Rex aged 21 and Dora aged 20. Whilst Rex was serving within Australia mail was being censored; so Rex and Dora organised a special signal to let Dora know if he was to be leaving the country. The signal was that Rex would send his watch minus the band. The watch minus the band arrived in April 1945, at which time Rex was headed for Morotai.
Rex and Dora relocated to Kalangadoo in 1946 after Rex was discharged and where Dora still resides. They had four children – Beverley, Kevin, Lynette and Joylene.
In 1956, Rex was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was given a short time to live. He defied the doctors and went on to live and enjoy life for another 43 years. During this time, he worked at the Kalangadoo Mill for 34 years until retirement.
Private Rex Wilkins passed away on the 27th of December 1999 at the age of 77.