Name
George Tomlin (29241)
1879
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
29241
Essex Regiment
13th Bn.
‘B’ Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
George was born in 1879 in Hitchin and christened on 4 Jun 1879 in At Mary’s Church, Hitchin, Herts. 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. His brother Charles’ was absent from this and the other census below.
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.
In 1901 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 and also a bricklayer, 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. All the children from the previous census were still in the family home, George was still a bricklayer, and there was a new daughter, Lilie Ethel Tomlin (9).
George married Annie Amelia Grimes (b 12/4/1881) in Hitchin later in 1911. They later had a son, Reginald Charles, in 1913.
Before his enlistment he worked for Mr F Newton, Hitchin as a bricklayer.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He was already mobilised by August 1914 and had been given the Regimental Number 29241 and posted to the 13th Battalion of the Regiment. This Battalion was part of the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division of Xlll Corps in the 1st Army. He went to France in November 1916 and was killed in action. This was during the Battle of Arleux, which was captured by the 1st Canadian Division alongside the 13th Essex. He was shot in the chest by a sniper. He must have first been listed as missing and the family made enquiries on the British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List (Wounded & Missing) on 20 July 1917. The British Red Cross stated that he was in ‘B’ Company of the Battalion and confirmed that he went missing on the 28th April 1917. At some point he Was presumed killed.
The Hertfordshire Express of 12 May 1917 that he was shot through the chest by a sniper and his wife was living in 3 Frythe Cottages, Nightingale Road, Hitchin and the Herts Mercury of 19 May 1917 reported that he had been shot by a sniper.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Bay 7 of the Arras Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £1 19s 9d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Annie, on 14 November 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her 14 November 1919.
His pension cards record Annie Amelia Tomlin as his widow and as his dependant, living at 6 Ickleford Road, Hitchin. It also records their child as Reginald Charles (b 30/11/1913). She was awarded a grant of £5 and a pension of 18s 9d a week from 24 December 1917 for her and their child. This was increased to 24s 9d from 4 December 1918.
George was the brother of Charles Tomlin who was killed in 1915,
