Valentine Wilkinson was born in Streatham, Surrey, on 8 January 1892. His father, Sidney Henri, was a company director. His education started at Marlborough House School in Sidcup, and continued at Downside, until he entered Christ's College at Cambridge where he achieved 1st class honours in parts I and II of the Natural Science Tripos. His undergraduate training was interrupted by the war when he served in the 9th Senior Battalion of the Border Regiment, and became Adjutant and second in command with the rank of acting Major, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1918. He continued his clinical training at University College Hospital and became house physician to Batty Shaw and house surgeon to Wilfrid Trotter. He subsequently became medical officer to the Industrial Rehabilitation Unit at Waddon, Croydon, and also a factory doctor. He was awarded the OBE in 1962. In 1923 he married the grand-daughter of Judge Webb and they had one son and one daughter. His interests included sculpture, gardening and sketching in pastel.