Name
Ernest Oliver Tompkins
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/07/1917
45
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
29638
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
Enclosure No. 4,Plot II, Row C1, Grave 2.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of the late Thomas and Susan (nee HALSEY) TOMPKINS; husband of Minnie (nee BOTSWORTH) TOMPKINS.
His parents married 1 July 1860 at Christ Church, Marylebone, London. Susan died 8 January 1916 in Watford aged 78, and was buried 11 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford. There is a Death announcement for Susan in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 15 January 1916.
Ernest was born 1871 in Linslade, Bucks or Leighton Buzzard, Beds, and married 30 March 1901 at Holy Trinity, Knightsbridge, London. He resided in Watford. Minnie never remarried, she died 19 April 1956 in Watford aged 86, and was buried 26 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
On the 1881 Census, a scholar aged 9 he lived in Southcott, Bucks, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1891 Census, a gardener’s assistant aged 19, he lived in Brickendon Green, Herts, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1901 Census, he was serving in South Africa. On the 1911 Census, he is proving elusive.
Wartime Service
He had previously enlisted in the Household Cavalry 8 June 1898 at Hyde Park Barracks, London: a gardener aged 22, 6′ tall, C of E, next-of-kin his father of Croxley Green, Herts.
He served in South Africa from 4 December 1899, and went absent without leave 27 October to 16 November 1901. Declared illegally absent by a Court of Enquiry and struck off as a deserter 19 November 1901.
He (re-)enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action in retaliation for a raid by other units in the Division, by a shell near Bedford House.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Ernest’s W.W.1 Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
