Lives of the First World War

William Charles Tomkins born 29 Jan 1879 in Walworth London. On 13 Oct 1914 he signed up for the army in WW1. His army number is 1055. He signed up to the Royal West Surrey Regiment.

WW1 record for William Charles Tomkins, in WW1 he was with the Royal West Surrey Regiment, number 1055. Before this he was for 4 years with the 2nd London Rifles TE1907.

WW1 record.

WW1 record for William Charles Tomkins, he was discharged for illness on 15 April 1915. His wife was Florence Jane and he lived at 4 Wyndham Road Camberwell.

William Charles Tomkins, fit for service on 15 Oct 1914. He had brown hair and a tattoo on left forearm.

Record from the Royal Hospital Chelsea/ Hounslow. Details of discharge for William in 1915.

Discharge details in 1915

Pension records for William post discharge due to illness in 1915. The pension started 1916 - 1917.

Although William signed up to the Royal West Surrey regiment it also appears he moved or was under the Queen's??

The casulty form for William, although little information detailed.

William was discharged on 15 April 1915. He applied for a pension 23 Nov 1916. William then spent a long time fighting the army for a pension and in the end his wife had to fight for a widows pension. The sheet notes he had tuberculosis and it was fatal incapacity. It is noted that he was under canvas from 10 Oct to 30 Nov 1914. The weather was bad and he only had 1 suit. This is the first page of details about how he got a pension, and ultimately it was agreed that he would not have got TB and died if he hadn't been in awful conditions in the trenches in WW1.

Marriage certificate for William Charles Tomkins and Florence Jane Elizabeth Walters, married 26 April 1903 at St Marks church Camberwell Parish.

William Charles Tomkins was baptised 30 Nov 1883 at St Agnes in Southwark. Parents John Thomas Tomkins and Eunice Elizabeth Oats.

photo of William Charles Tomkins in military uniform