Major David Mitchell TOMLINSON (1879-1916).

Major, Royal Scots, 13th Regiment (Lothian Regiment).

Born 1879 (most probably) in the Brightwater District, Nelson Region - of the South Island, New Zealand.

David was the son of Thomas & Annie (nee Fisher) Tomlinson - of Nelson, South Island, New Zealand.

David's mother, Annie Tomlinson, was born at Edinburgh, Scotland on 11 May 1845. In 1857 she emigrated to New Zealand with her parents William Fisher (who had been an engine driver at Leith, Scotland) -  and his wife Margaret. Upon arrival in New Zealand the family appears to have settled in the Nelson Region, of the South Island of New Zealand.

Prior to war service David Tomlinson lived in the South Island city of Christchurch.

In 1904 David Tomlinson had graduated, with a Bachelor of Science Degree,  from the University of Otago, Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand,.

Some time prior to World War 1 David Tomlinson appears to have left New Zealand for the United Kingdom.

Upon the outbreak of World War 1 David Tomlinson joined the Royal Engineers, from which he was commissioned,  in 1915,  to the Royal Scots, 13th Battalion (Lothian Regiment).

In May 1915 he was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant. (London Gazette 1 June 1915).

Prior to May 1916 Lieutenant Tomlinson had attained the rank of Major, Royal Scots, 13th Battalion (Lothian Regiment).

On 13 May 1916 Major David M. Tomlinson died of wounds, received in action - in the field - at France. He was 38 years of age.

Major Tomlinson is buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (Ref: III.K.10).

For Major David M. Tomlinson's full military record refer to the National Archives, Kew, London (File Ref: 57909).

For an excerpt, from "The Great War in History : Disaster at the Kink 11 May 1916" (P.E. Hodgkinson May 22 2016) which describes the engagement with the Germans, on 11 May 1916,  which would cost Major David Tomlinson his life refer Stories (2) this profile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett