George Tomlinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was born about 1883, the son of John and Emma Tomlinson. The 1911 census form records that they had twelve children born alive of whom eight were still living at the time of the census. Nine children are named on three census (1881, 1901, 1911): Mary Ann, John, Emma, George, Willie, Ada, Ernest, Gertie and Albert. In 1881 John (25) and Emma (22) were living at 6 Smith's Square, Nottingham, with their three children, Mary Ann (4), John (2) and Emma (11 months). Also in the household was a lodger, Lizzy Fletcher (27) and her one year old son, Harry. By 1901 John and Emma were living at 15 Manvers Street, Sneinton, and there were five children in the household at the time of the census; George (18), Willie (12), Ada (11), Ernest (9) and Gertie (4). In 1911 Emma, was living at 41 Sneinton Road, with three of her children, Ada, Gerty and Albert (9). She also had a boarder, Joseph Kinsey, a widower of 60 who was employed as a collier. Emma was still described as married (34 years), but was the head of the household and working on her own account as a wardrobe dealer. George was registered on the military census in 1911, serving with the 1st Bn Sherwood Foresters in England. George's father was named as his legatee.
He was taken prisoner at Mons in 1914 and was a prisoner of war for nearly 5 years. He is buried in Switzerland and it is possible that he was evacuated there by the Red Cross and that he died in the flu pandemic. He died in Leysin and is buried in Vevey (St Martin's) Cemetery, grave reference 64.
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 3 January 1919: ‘Tomlinson. On December 10th of pneumonia at Leysin, Switzerland, Private G Tomlinson, 2nd Sherwood Foresters, late of 5 Palin Street, taken prisoner at Mons 1914. Mother, sisters, brothers.' The place of death (Leysin) is confirmed in the 'Soldiers' Effects Register'. Rachel Farrand
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