It's just occurred to me that even though Wilks is merely a squadron leader in Spitfire Parade, he is already a Group Captain by the time Sergeant Bigglesworth, CID rolls round.
Does anyone else think this is strange? Sergeant Bigglesworth took place just after the war, so presumably whatever it was Wilks did to get his promotion, he did it during the war. But what exactly was it that Wilks did? Surely Biggles was the go-to man for crazy missions that would save the world?
There is a mention in one of the Biggles books where it says that everyone in 666 could have been promoted, but refused on the grounds that they didn't want to leave Biggles. Did this same sentiment not apply to Wilks and his men? I don't believe that Wilks was as ambitious as all that!
Another thing that irks me is the completely lack of boasting when Biggles meets Wilks again in Sergeant Bigglesworth. Considering how much they liked to get one over the other, wouldn't it have been normal for Wilks to crow a bit about his position, especially since Biggles was now a sergeant?
Could it be that there was some deep dark secret that resulted in Wilks' promotion and the truth of why was subsequently hushed up?
Wilkinson
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Great Biggles Mysteries #10: What is Wilks' Full Name?
Wilks' is Biggles' friendly rival in shooting down Huns and enemy balloons in WWI, and he goes on to feature in many other stories throughout the series. We see him in Flies Again, Flies North, Sergeant Bigglesworth, and so on. He is also present in Spitfire Parade, where his Hurricane squadron is involved in friendly rivalry with Biggles' Spitfires.
As far as I can tell, the only place where Wilks' full name is mentioned is in Spitfire Parade, where he writes a letter on behalf of his squadron (701) asking how "Flight Lieutenants Lacey and Lissie like their eggs boiled", and signs it, "A. R. Wilkinson, Squadron Leader."
I've taken the obvious route and made him "Arthur Robert" (see Biggles Married II Chapter 3), but I'd be interested to hear of any other mentions or guesses in the comments section below!
As far as I can tell, the only place where Wilks' full name is mentioned is in Spitfire Parade, where he writes a letter on behalf of his squadron (701) asking how "Flight Lieutenants Lacey and Lissie like their eggs boiled", and signs it, "A. R. Wilkinson, Squadron Leader."
I've taken the obvious route and made him "Arthur Robert" (see Biggles Married II Chapter 3), but I'd be interested to hear of any other mentions or guesses in the comments section below!
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