Albert De Wilton Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Major
Albert Walter De Wilton
Order:5th
Office:Inspector General of Police
Term Start:17 August 1902
Term End:1905
Predecessor:Louis Frederic Knollys
Successor:Cyril Chapman Longden
Birth Date:1862
Birth Place:Samalkota, India
Death Date:13 October 1931
Death Place:Jersey
Restingplace:St. Peter’s Church, Jersey
Profession:Soldier, Colonial administrator
Parents:Dr Jacob Wilkins, Judith Laura née Montefiore
Spouse:Julie Helen née Gatwell (1863–1893) m.1887, Marie Ellen née Phillips (1864–?) m.1894
Children:Albert Gordon St John Montefiore (b.1891); Marie Laura Patricia (b.1897), Norah Ernestine Pascal (b.1902)

Major Albert Walter De Wilton (1862 - 13 October 1931) was the fifth British colonial Inspector-General of Police in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Wilton was born in Samalkota, India, in 1862, the second son of Dr Jacob Wilkins (1830 - 1879) and Judith Laura née Montefiore (1835 - 1899). He received his early education at Brighton and Southsea Military College, where he graduated in 1880. He joined the militia the following year, attending Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, obtaining his commission in 1883 as a Lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers.[1] He saw active service in the Burma Campaigns of 1885, 1887 and 1889 and was awarded a medal and two clasps.[2]

In 1898 he was appointed Major-General of Police in Mauritius. In 1902 he was transferred to Ceylon, assuming the position of Inspector-General of Police and Prisons on 17 August 1902. In 1905 due to the increase in workload the position was separated into two posts with De Wilton continuing in the role of Inspector-General of Prisons and Superintendent of Convict Establishments and Cyril Longden, the Superintendent of Police in Madras was transferred to take on the role of Inspector General of Police. He retired in 1922 when he was 60. De Wilton died in Jersey on 13 October 1931.

Notes and References

  1. News: Military Appointments. London Gazette. 9 March 1883. 1326. 7 May 2016.
  2. News: Touch of Polo amidst reforms. The Sunday Times. 14 December 1997. 7 May 2016.