Current Information:

Age-22

96, Mortimer Road, Dalston

Doullens Communal Cemetery1, France

In mid-February, 1916, 14th Division left the Ypres salient and moved back to Cassel for reorganisation and training.  At the end of February, 1916, the division travelled south to the sector of the Western Front around Arras where on 6th March the 9th Rifle Brigade battalion of 42 Brigade went into the line there in the Ronville sector where they remained until relieved on 13th March. The trenches here were paradise compared with Ypres. 6-7 feet deep in chalky soil, brick paved and protective wire 20 yards deep. Shell proof tunnels and deep dug-outs provided accommodation for the whole front line garrison. There were a few casualties during their stay here, one of them being Albert Tomkins who died from wounds on 14th March.