One of the region’s last hand engravers, whose exceptional work helped commemorate a series of historic North East events from sport to Royal visits, has died.
John Wilkinson, 82, from Newcastle passed away after a short illness.
Today engraving is mostly done by machine. For John, it was always a labour of love, done meticulously by hand with extraordinary patience and precision.
And when his widow Joan, 78, went to Newcastle Civic Centre with family members to register John’s death and mentioned his occupation, staff there quickly recognised his contribution to the city.
“They took us to up to a room - I think it was the Lord Mayor’s chambers - and showed the work he had done,” said Joan. It included one special Royal commission.
“There was a silver salver which said on it ‘presented by Prince Charles to the city’ - I recognised his handwriting straight away.”
That was in the late 1970s, and in that decade John was also asked to do commemorative work for the visit of US President Jimmy Carter to Newcastle.
Another commission came for the launch of the Ark Royal in 1981, which was built at Wallsend shipyard Swan Hunter.
“He was invited on board to have a look around,” said Joan.
She also spoke of one commission which did not so much test John’s skills as the loyalties of the lifelong Newcastle United fan.
“He was asked to do the engraving on the FA Cup in the year Sunderland won the final against Leeds United in 1973,” she said.
Joan recalled how security guards brought the trophy to his place of work to do the job.
“I took our two children (Richard and Julia) in so they could hold the cup. It was a very prestigious job.”
John began as a hand engraver aged 16 working with Reid & Son’s on Blackett Street, Newcastle.
To hone his skills he underwent an eight-year apprenticeship. After moving to Tyne Engravers he started his own business in 1971, based in Emerson Chambers. He later moved offices to Blackett Street, the same building where he had first began work as a teenager.
And although John officially retired in 2002, his work was still in demand for special commissions. For many years he was responsible for engraving the Northumberland Plate.
Joan said: “He was a master craftsman, he loved his work which he still did right up until he died. He used to say if you like your job it’s not a chore, he just adored what he did.”
John’s funeral is to be held tomorrow at Jesmond Parish Church at 10am.
