Lt-Col Mike Tomkin RIP

Kyt · Sep 11, 2008

Lt-Col Mike Tomkin - Telegraph

Lt-Col Mike Tomkin, who has died aged 89, won an MC at the Battle of El Alamein.

In October 1942 Tomkin, then a second lieutenant in the Queen's Bays, took part in the Battle of El Alamein. While leading a troop in "B" Squadron, his arm was damaged by the recoil of his 75mm gun, but he made no mention of this and, despite being in great pain, remained in command and destroyed six German tanks.

Three days later he was inspected by the medical officer, who reported that his arm was broken. He was ordered out of action and awarded an immediate MC.

James Michael Heigham Royce Tomkin was born at Norton, Suffolk, on November 10 1918 and educated at Eton before going up to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned in 1939 and, on the outbreak of war, posted to the newly-raised 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry.

In 1940, when an invasion by the Germans seemed imminent, his troop – together with detachments from the Coldstream Guards and 12th Lancers – was given the task of conveying the Royal Family to a place of safety if required. Tomkin's armoured cars were converted to passenger vehicles and moved to Windsor.

On one occasion, when the King wished to inspect one of the cars, Tomkin drove it up to the castle and afterwards took his charges, the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, accompanied by their governess and a corgi, for a trial trip around the Home Park.

Tomkin was subsequently posted to 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (5 RIDG) at Northampton, but the regiments fighting in North Africa were hard pressed and he was seconded to the Queen's Bays in Libya. The Bays fought their way through Libya and Tunisia before landing in Italy, where he served as adjutant.

After a six-month course at the Staff College, Haifa, he saw action in Greece and then rejoined 5 RIDGs in BAOR. In 1949 he became brigade major of 7th Armoured Brigade before returning to regimental duties in command of "B" Squadron in Korea.

The Korean winter was severe, and the Centurion tanks had to be started up and moved every four hours to prevent their tracks being frozen into the ground. In November 1952 Tomkin's squadron, in support of the Black Watch, was involved in a Chinese attack in great strength on the Hook, a feature of major tactical importance in the Commonwealth sector.

In confused fighting, compounded by the use of searchlights which silhouetted the tanks, a forward company was overrun and the situation was saved only when they withdrew into their bunkers and called down fire on their own position.

After a spell as an instructor at the Senior Officers' School at Devizes, Tomkin rejoined 5 RIDG as second-in-command and took command in 1957 in BAOR. He ended his military career as an instructor at the National Defence College at Latimer. He retired from the Army in 1963.

Settled in Suffolk, of which he was a Deputy Lieutenant, Tomkin farmed and enjoyed shooting, fishing and sailing. He was for many years joint Master of the Waveney Harriers Hunt.

He was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1978 and chairman of the Suffolk Police Authority from 1978 to 1986. He was also a governor of Halesworth Middle School, Lowestoft College, Otley College of Agriculture and a council member of the University of East Anglia.

Comrades testify to Tomkin's tact, charm, sense of humour and ability to impose his authority in a quiet but firm manner.

He showed considerable fortitude in coping with increasing old age and became a familiar figure around the country lanes on his mobility buggy, flying the regimental birgee and accompanied by his yellow Labrador. These trips were completed without incident – apart from one when he seemed to think that he was at the controls of an amphibious model and finished up in a pond.

Mike Tomkin died on July 30. He married, in 1945, Margaret (Peggy) Bunbury, who predeceased him; he is survived by their two sons and a daughter.
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liverpool annie · Sep 13, 2008

Kyt said: ↑

Lt-Col Mike Tomkin - Telegraph
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Lt.-Col. James Michael Heigham Royce Tomkin

Lt.-Col. James Michael Heigham Royce Tomkin is the son of Lt.-Col. Royce Tomkin.2 He married Margaret Elinor Bunbury, daughter of Sir Charles Henry Napier Bunbury, 11th Bt. and Katherine Reid, on 11 September 1945.
Lt.-Col. James Michael Heigham Royce Tomkin gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.). He was decorated with the Military Cross (M.C.).

thePeerage.com - Person Page 7066

Descended from William the Conqueror !!

Antipodean Andy · Sep 13, 2008

Seems to have lived a full, good life. RIP.

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