HAYWARD FRED TOMKINS
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Evening Star – 23rd October 1941
Born: 20th January 1920, Filton, South Gloucestershire.
Died: 16th October 1941; age: 21 – Operation: ‘Habo Patrol’
Residence: 270, Clapgate Lane, Ipswich.
Employed: on the staff of the Eastern Counties Farmers’ Co-operative Society, Princes Street, Ipswich.
Rank: Sergeant Wireless/Operator/Air/Gunner; Service Number: 755409.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 59 Squadron.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 53.
Surrey.
Relatives Notified & Address: Eldest son of Frederick & Christiana Harriet Tomkins, of Ipswich.
Father: Frederick Tomkins, born August 1896, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Mother: Christiana Harriet Tomkins (nee Plummer), born February 1895, Somersham, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1921 Main Road, Somersham, Suffolk.
Hayward was 17 months old and lived with his mother at the home of maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Arthur Henry Plummer, 52 years & 9 months old, a Blacksmith and Wheelwright – own account, born Henley
Agnes Laura Plummer (nee Parker), 52 years & 5 months old, Home Duties, born Henley.
Arthur Henry Plummer, 28 years & 8 months old, assisting his father in his Blacksmith and Wheelwright business, born Pettaugh, Suffolk.
Olive Agnes Plummer, 22 years & 8 months old, Home Duties, born Somersham.
Victor Edward Plummer, 20 years & 8 months old, Horseman for Mr. Jesse Garrod – Farmer, of Little Blakenham, Suffolk, born Somersham.
Albert Edward Plummer, 19 years & 1 month old, Horseman for Mr. Harry Fiske – Farmer, of Church Farm, Somersham, born Somersham.
Frederick Charles Plummer, 17 years & 3 months old, assisting his father in his Blacksmith and Wheelwright business, born Somersham.
Whalley Dixon Plummer, 13 years & 1 month old, at School, born Somersham.
Alfred James Plummer, 11 years & 2 months old, at School, born Somersham.
Nelson George Plummer, 9 years & 1 month old, born Somersham.
Annie Laura Plummer, 7 years & 7 months old, at School, born Somersham.
Christiana Tomkins (nee Plummer), 26 years & 4 months old, Home Duties.
1921 17, Boston Road, Horfield, Bristol.
Hayward’s father, Fred Tomkins, was 25 years & 10 months old and a Stock Clerk for H.H. & S. Budgett & Co., Ltd. – Wholesale Grocers, of Nelson Street, Bristol.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Hayward was a Junior Clerk with the Eastern Counties Farmers’ Cooperative Society. He lived with his siblings at the family home – 270, Clapgate Lane, Ipswich.
Betty Margrett Tomkins, born January 1922, Bristol, Avon.
Colin Maurice Tomkins, at School, born September 1926, Sheppey, Kent.
Graham Dennis Tomkins, at School, born July 1932, Ipswich.
On the 1939 register, Hayward’s mother, Chistiana Tomkins, lived at 266, Clapgate Lane, the family home of George Tweed and Lily Agnes M. Tweed (nee Thurlow).
16th October 1941
In July 1940, No.59 Squadron moved to Thorney Island, West Sussex, becoming a reconnaissance squadron carrying out anti-shipping strikes, first with Blenheim’s and then with Lockheed Hudson‘s. On the 16th October, during operation Habo Patrol (Le Havre – Boulogne), Hayward was in a Hudson V serial AM 740 code TR-O. Taking off from Thorney Island at 18:50 hours. The aircraft failed to return. Believed shot down off Boulogne in the English Channel.
Fellow Crew:
Pilot Officer; Maurice Henry Sherley-Price; age 26; R.A.F.V.R.
Observation Sergeant; Charles Ewart White; age 22; R.A.F.V.R.
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant; Cubit Henry Benjamin Page; age 25; R.A.F.V.R.
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