Peter Wilkinson joined the Royal Navy in 1975 as a University Cadet, studying at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and St David’s College, Lampeter.

On completion of training he joined submarines as soon as he could and served in both diesel and nuclear submarines before being selected to attend the Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1987.  After completing the course he commanded HM Submarines Otter, Superb and Vanguard before completing his operational career as Captain of the Second Submarine Squadron based in Devonport.

He then undertook a range of staff appointments in London and Portsmouth, working for both the First and Second Sea Lords and the Chief of the Defence Staff.  He retired from the Royal Navy in 2010. 

Subsequently, he was Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cooks (a London Livery Company) for 11 years. From 2012-2016 he was National President of the Royal British Legion and he has recently chaired an appeal to build a new submarine memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

He and his wife Tracey live at Warsash in Hampshire and have two adult daughters, Kate and Hilary.