Rifleman 3981 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade
Died 9 May 1915 aged 22
Remembered on Ash War Memorial
Remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Belgium
Remembered on the Memorial to the Men of Ash Vale in St Mary’s Church
Remembered on the Ash Vale School Memorial
Remembered on Farnborough War Memorial

The 1901 census lists Joseph Tomkins, a fruit hawker, and his wife Mary. They lived in Baileys Cottages in Frimley Road and their family included Henry 15, Joseph 14, Florence 11, George 8, Arthur 4, and Walter 2. In 1911 Mr and Mrs Tomkins and Walter lived at 4 Sydney Villas, Frimley Road.

Soldiers Died records that George enlisted at Guildford; and George’s medals card records that he was awarded the 1914 Star and clasp, qualifying date 7 November 1914.

George Tomkins and Arthur Tomkins were two of the 35 old boys and evening class students from Ash Vale School who had enlisted and whose names were on the School Roll of Honour in 1915. Later in the year George Tomkins had been killed and was included in the memorial leaflet for the memorial service at St Peter’s Church.

Mr and Mrs Tomkins are recorded as living at 4 Sydney Villas in the electoral register of 1918.