Charles Geoffrey Tomlin, Lieutenant, London Regiment
Charles Geoffrey Tomlin came up from Uppingham School in 1910 with a strong record in cricket, rugby and hockey.
Born: Streatham, London on 26 December 1890
Died of wounds received in action: 9 July 1916
A sporting star
Once at College he continued his sporting prowess, rising to Captain of the rugby team by his final year and was described in the Annual Report as 鈥渂eing one of the best wicket-keepers we have ever had鈥 (汤头条原创 Society Annual Report ,1917, pp38-39).
As a result of his sporting achievements he is given the honour of a 鈥淐ocks of the Roost鈥 profile in the student magazine, Chanticlere, Michaelmas Term 1912, pp20 - 22.
The article concentrates largely on his sporting abilities, claiming that he was 鈥渉eroic鈥 in the lineout 鈥渨here he is well worth watching, eyebrows down and elbows up, dealing black eyes to friends and foe alike鈥.
On the cricket field, not only was he agile behind the stumps but 鈥渉e is a most reliable number eleven and was the hero of a remarkable stand against the Nomads last summer鈥.
The article also describes some of his other interests which included golf and tennis but it claims his 鈥済reatest delight鈥 is to be in the saddle. 鈥淗e is overjoyed (when the vac. comes) to hie him away to Whaddon Chase.鈥
"The greatest social acquisition"
Away from sporting activities he is described as being 鈥渢he greatest social acquisition of his year to Jesus鈥 as he was heavily involved in the Radegunds, the Natives, the Stratfords and the Alcock Glee Quartette.
He was also, apparently, 鈥渧ery fond of dumb animals鈥, with a special regard for guinea-pigs but most especially beloved was his Skyeish fox-terrier: 鈥淲hiskers鈥.
Sadly for Tomlin his father died during Michaelmas Term 1912 so he was unable to complete his degree.
He joined up at the outbreak of war, was wounded in May 1915 and again in France in July 1916 from which he was unable to recover.
You can email us on ww1-project@jesus.cam.ac.uk, go to our First World War homepage, or find us on .
