Name
Harry Tomlin
2 June 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/03/1918
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
9406
Bedfordshire Regiment
“B” Company, 2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panels 28 and 29
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted War Memorial, Not on the Bovingdon memorials
Pre War
Harry Tomlin was born on 2 June 1889 and baptised on 21 July 1889 in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, the son of William Henry and Margaret Tomlin and one two sons.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Bourne End, Bovingdon, Herts and his father was working as a Gardener, Domestic. They remained at Bourne End in 1901 at which time 12 year old Harry was working as a labourer.
Harry's Regimental no. 9406 suggests he enlisted into the army between January 1907 and August 1908 and on the 1911 Census he was serving as Private with the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He married Elizabeth Osborne on 6 June 1909 at Great Berkhamsted and made their home at 50 Ellesmere Road, Great Berkhamsted. They had a son Harry Edwin born on 18 August 1916 and a daughter Violet May born on 9 October 1917. His widow later lived at 41 Castle Street, Berkhamsted.
His parents later lived at 49a Ellesmere Road, Berkhamsted.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Harry was a serving soldier in the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment which was in South Africa. They were immediately recalled and arrived at Southampton on 19 September 1914. Once refitted for European warfare, they left Southampton on 5 October 1914, on the SS Winifredian, arriving on 7 October 1914 at Zeebrugge, Belgium.
They were soon in action, coming under fire on the Menin Road 11 days later.
They fought in the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, Battle of Festubert, Second Action at Givenchy and Battle of Loos in 1915, followed by the Battles of the Somme in 1916. 1917 brought the Battle of Arras and Battle of Messines Ridge.
Harry was killed in action on 22 March 1918 at the Battle of St Quentin (one of the Battles of the Somme 1918) while defending the front line against the enemy attack. He was one of over 100 from the 2nd Battalion who died between 21 and 31 March.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £24 and pay owing of £10 7s 3d. She also received a pension of £1 7s 11d a week for herself and her children. Brother to William Edward Tomlin who served with the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and died of wounds on 15 November 1914.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Malcolm Lennox, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk, www.dacorumheritage.org.uk
