leslie wilkinson was the younger son of commercial clerk edward henry wilkinson. in his early years, he studied at st edward's school, oxford and at the royal academy of arts, london, winning several awards, including the touring scholarship (1904,1905) that allowed him to travel to france, italy, spain and england. it was in these early years that his fascination with mediterranean architecture developed. wilkinson was james s. gibson's assistant in 1900. he was an associate of the royal institute of british architects in 1907. in 1908, he became professor f. m. simpson's assistant at university college in london and later became assistant professor. he enlisted in the territorial force during world war i.