John William TOMLINSON

03 May 1918

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – Another Life for His Country

On Friday evening Private Jno. Tomlinson, son of Mr. John Tomlinson, water bailiff, and Mrs. Tomlinson, of Park View, Bolton-by-Bowland, died in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, after suffering from bronchitis for several weeks. Deceased joined the 5th Dragoons, was only 18 years of age, and was called up about two months ago. He had only been in training a very short time when he was sent to hospital on March 26th. His body was conveyed by train to Gisburn Station, arriving at 10.33 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and in the afternoon he was laid to rest in the Bolton-by-Bowland Churchyard. The Rector officiated and the choir, of which the deceased had been a member, sang Psalm 39 and hymns, ‘Let Saints on Earth’ and ‘Peace, Perfect Peace’. As the procession left the church, the coffin being carried by his companions, the organist played the Dead March. At the graveside a detachment of the Clitheroe Territorials fired a volley and the ‘Last Post’ was sounded. Many people sorrowfully sympathised with the parents, bereaved of their only son. There were many floral tributes.

A letter has been received from the doctor of the hospital by Mrs. Tomlinson stating:– “I should like you and your husband to know how much we have appreciated having him in the ward. There was never a grumble, in spite of the weeks of weariness and suffering. His pluck and vitality kept him alive and his constant desire to get up and out in order to join ‘the lads across the water’ was a lesson to all shirkers. The odd thing, too, was that, instead of being a depressing influence in the ward, he so often reduced the men to mirth by his quaint expressions. You can indeed be proud of the impression he has left among us. Personally knowing that the type of bronchitis from which he suffered and died has so far been seen only among soldiers, I feel that he truly gave his life for his country as any soldier on the field. His intense patriotism seemed somehow to put the genuine hallmark on it. May I, in closing, express my very deep and sincere sympathy with you and your husband, and my great regret that we were unable to save a life which had so much promise of a useful purpose in the world.”

10 May 1918

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – Memorial Service

On Sunday morning a memorial service was held at the Parish Church in respect of the late Private John Tomlinson. There was a very large congregation, many relatives and friends being present. The Rector, in a short sermon, impressively referred to the circumstances of Private Tomlinson’s death, and at the conclusion of the service the Dead March was played, the congregation standing.

16 August 1918

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – The Late Private John Tomlinson

A temporary wooden cross has been erected by the Military Authorities on the grave of the late Private John Tomlinson in the Bolton-by-Bowland Parish Churchyard, with an inscription bearing the name, rank, regiment and, date of death.

25 April 1919

TOMLINSON – In loving memory of Private John Tomlinson, who died in hospital April 26th, 1918.

From his Father, Mother and Sisters, Park View, Bolton-by-Bowland.

TOMLINSON – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private John Tomlinson, 5th Dragoon Guards, who died at Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, April 26th, 1918, aged 18 years.

“Gone, but not forgotten.”

From Lucy, May and Doris, Bolton-by-Bowland.

23 April 1920

TOMLINSON – In loving memory of Pte. John Tomlinson, Royal Dragoon Guards, who died in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, April 26th, 1918.

From his Father and Mother and Sisters, Holme End, Rimington, late Bolton-by-Bowland.