Name
Bernard Tomlin
1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
74107
Royal Garrison Artillery
70 Siege Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
VIII.B.168
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Bernard was born in 1889 in Hitchin and his parents were Henry and Adelade Tomlin (née Wesley), they married on 26 December 1865 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.
In 1881, before Bernard’s birth, the family were living at Churchyard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Henry (37) and Adelaide (34), Henry was a bricklayer and shopkeeper (Greengrocer). Their children were: Clifford (14), Violet (11), Alice (9), Henry (4) and Jesse (2).
Bernard was born in 1889, the same year that his father, Henry, died in 1889.
In 1891 Adelaid was listed as head of household and a widow, living at 22 Golden Square, Hitchin – part of which were demolished in 1897, and she was a greengrocer, presumably taking on her husband’s business. Of the children listed above, Clifford was missing, and the others had been joined by Ada (9), Leonard (6) and Bernard (1).
By 1901 the family were living at 22 and 23 Churchyard , Hitchin. Adelade now recorded as running her fruiterers business helped by her son Henry. Violet, Leonard and Bernard were also present.
Bernard married Eva Freestone (b 29/10/1888) on 21 March 1909 in St Peter’s Church, Leicester. At that time he was recorded as a fruiterer, living in 25 Laurel Road, Leicester. Eva was a hosiery hand. Their first child, Doris Lilian was born in 1910.
By 1911 Bernard, Eva and Doris were living at 11 Old Park Road, Hitchin, Bernard working as a fruiterer etc. and Salesman. The census recorded they had been married for 2 years with 1 child and another had died.
Another child, Adelaide, was born in 1912.
At the beginning of the war Bernard had been a fruiterer for six years. He enlisted in London on the 8th April 1915.
Wartime Service
He was given the Regimental Number 74107. He went to France in August 1915 and served with the 70th Siege Battery which was equipped with 8" howitzers. At the time of his injuries the Battery was part of the 4th Army operating in the Somme sector.
On 30 August 1916, he was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound. He was put on a sick convoy (No. 28 Ambulance Train) the same day and later died of his wounds in Boulogne before he could be returned home.
He was buried in Plot 8, Row B, Grave 168 in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in France. The gravestones in this cemetery are laid flat, this is rare and usually only where there are stability issues
Additional Information
After Bernard’s death Eva returned to Leicester and lived at 12 Gartree Street, Highfields.
After his death, and three recharges had been made, £3 10s 5d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Eva, on 31 March 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her on 2 October 1919.
His pension cards record Eva Tomlin as his widow and dependant, living at 12 Gartree Street, Highfields, Leicester. I also list their children as Doris Lilian (b 1/8/1910) and Adelaide (b 20/4/1912). She was awarded a grant on 20 February 1917 and then a pension of 18s 6d a week from 19 March 1917 for her and the children.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
