Colonel Gary P Wilkinson OBE

Gary Wilkinson was granted a commission in the Royal Artillery in 1988 and has served on operations in Bosnia, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.

He served in Helmand Province with 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in 2006, 2008 and as the unit’s Commanding Officer in 2010-11.

He was awarded an OBE in 2010 for his work planning operations in Afghanistan while posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters.

After handing over command of 7 Para RHA in 2012, Colonel Wilkinson served as the Senior Military Representative at the Olympic Park. He commanded a joint force of 4,500 military personnel supporting the civilian-led security effort for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, before deploying on operations in Afghanistan for 12 months in December 2012.

Back in Afghanistan he assumed the appointment of Deputy Commander Task Force for Op Herricks 17, 18 and 19. He returned to the UK to take up the appointment of Colchester Garrison Commander in March 2014.

Colonel Wilkinson holds a BSc and MSc from Cranfield University and an MA from King’s College, London.

Profile photograph reproduced under licence from the MoD.