Name
Charles Tomlin
17 July 1878
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/02/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/7321
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
R.E. FARM CEMETERY
I. A. 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Charles (junior) was born on 17 July 1878 in Hitchin and his parents were Charles and Eliza Tomlin (née Corkett), they married on 25 December 1877 in St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin.
In 1881 the family were living at Folly, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Charles (22) and Eliza (25) working as a bricklayer and a straw plaiter, respectively. The children listed were George (2) and James at 5 months. The mystery of Charles’ absence is, we believe, solved by looking next door where the Corkett family were living – presumed to be Eliza’s parents (Charles and Ann). Here a grandson was listed ‘Charley Corkett’ (4) – it is not clear whether the surname was an error or if he was born before the marriage.
In 1891 the family were living at 3 Ashbrook Field, St Ippolyts. Only Eliza (recorded as Elizabeth) was present, but she was recorded as the wife of a bricklayer, with the children listed as George (12), James (10), Bertie (8), Ernest (7), Alice (4), Alfred (2) and Gertrude at 6 months. Again Charles was found as Charles Cawcut (sic) living with his grandparents at 4 Brickyard, Sunnyside, Hitchin. He was 14 and already working as a labourer.
We believe that Charles (junior) enlisted, as Charles Tomlin, on 31 March 1898 into the Rifle Brigade as Private 5707, but later transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 6274.
His attestation papers show that he was 19 years and 5 months old and working as a bricklayer’s labourer. He was described as 5’ 6 2/10”, 130 lbs, with a 35” chest (fully expanded), with a pallid complexion and brown eyes and hair.
The forms show that he was already in the 4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, Militia. He was willing to serve in the Rifle Brigade and he was posted to them, however a note confirms his transfer to the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment on 18 May 1898 and then to the 1st Bn. 22 September 1899.
Although the notes are difficult to read it seems he lost a day’s good conduct pay on 31 March 1900, and another on 6 July 1900, one was restored on 6 July 1901. He was posted to the 9 Prov Bn. 11 March 1902 and the 2nd Beds on 4 November 1902. In that Battalion he forfeited a day’s pay on 2 September 1903, one seemingly restored 2 September 1904, then another forfeited 4 November 1904.
Having served for 12 years he was discharged on the termination of his period of engagement on 30 March 1912, but he reenlisted for another 4 years on 16 April 1910.
During the original period he served ‘At Home’ between 31 March 1898 and 20 September 1899, in India to 10 March 1902(*1), ‘Home’ again to 3 November 1902, South Africa to 8 April 1903, then ‘Home’ again to 30 March 1910. He passed a mounted infantry class in South Africa but also had bouts of illness: tonsillitis between 12th and 19th February 1900; fever with headache etc. 4th and 16th March 1900; fever again 3rd and 27th September 1900 then other periods with malaria, enteric fever and influenza, etc. but perhaps most seriously Debility.
*1 the dates are confusing it seems Debility was diagnosed on 6th January 1902 and he was returned to England, embarking from Bombay on 1 February 1902 on the SS Assaye, and in hospital in Netley from 26 February to 10 March 1902 with Debility, when he was recorded as “Recovered fit for duty” – perhaps ‘officially’ that counted as service in India?
His papers help confirm that we have the right census information as they give his father as Charles, mother as Elizabeth (full name) two brothers as James and Bertie and sister Alice.
His parents were living at The Orange Tree PH, 54 Sunnyside, Hitchin, Charles (senior) working as a bricklayer and licensed victualler. The children listed were George (22), Bertie (18), Ernest (17), Alice (14), Alfred (12), Gertie (10), Ada (8) and Herbert (5). A cousin, John Tomlin (22),was also present.
In 1911 the family were still at 54 Sunnyside, Hitchin. Although Charles (senior) was only recorded as a bricklayer now. The census recorded they had been married for 33 years with 11 children, all living. Amongst the children remaining at home, Charles was now mentioned as Charles Tomlin, however he was crossed out and noted as ‘away’, as was James. Charles was in the Army. A new daughter was included - Lilie Ethel Tomlin (9).
Officially Charles was recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
Charles (junior) has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. It records him as volunteering in September 1914 - almost certainly he was called from the Reserve - and that he went to France in November. His medal cards confirm that he landed in France on 11 November 1914..
He was allocated the Regimental Number 4/7321 and was sent to the Western Front in the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshires in November 1914 and killed in action near Ypres. The Battalion was in the 15th Brigade of the 5th Division.
The 1st Battalion had gone to Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector on 8 February 1915 and was in a forward area at the time of his death. Conditions over the winter period had been horrendous with most of the men suffering from trench foot. Trenches were half full of water, were shallow due to the high-water table and subjected to continuous bombardment.
He is buried in Plot I , Row A, Grave 5 in the R.E. Farm Cemetery, Wytschaete, Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death £7 9s 10d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Charles, on 15 July 1915. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to him on 12 June 1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
