Wilfred Tomkinson

Vice-Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson, C.B., M.V.O., Royal Navy (15 November, 1877 – 7 October, 1971) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Lieutenant on 1 October, 1899.

Tomkinson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1910.

On 29 November, 1910, he was appointed to Mercury for command of the Portsmouth Submarine Flotilla, remaining in command of that formation until 12 January, 1912 when Tomkinson was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Forth and for command of the Devonport Seagoing Flotilla.

In December 1913, Tomkinson was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Silver Medal for saving life at sea.

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Lurcher on 30 July, 1914, also to oversee submarines.

Tomkinson was promoted to Captain on 30 June, 1916.

On 1 December 1916, he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Aurora.

Tomkinson was appointed as captain of Colossus from 6 July, 1917, remaining there until mid-November when he was relieved by Charles P. Beaty-Pownall.

He was appointed in command of the new battlecruiser Hood on 1 January, 1920.

On 25 October, 1926, Tomkinson was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V, vice Davies.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 2 August, 1927, vice Woollcombe.

Tomkinson was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 15 February, 1932.

Bibliography

• "Vice-Adml Tomkinson" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 9 October, 1971. Issue 58924, col F, pg. 14.
• Coles, Alan (1993). Invergordon Scapegoat. London: Sutton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0750902337.

Papers

• Papers in the possession of Churchill Archives Centre.

Service Record

• The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 375.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Taku 20 Jun, 1900 – 18 Jul, 1900	Succeeded by Charles P. Beaty-Pownall
Preceded by Charles E. W. Pyddoke	Captain of H.M.S. Mallard 12 Aug, 1910 – 26 Nov, 1910	Succeeded by Henry W. Osburn
Preceded by Albert P. Addison as Captain (S), Second Submarine Flotilla	In Command, Portsmouth Submarine Flotilla 29 Nov, 1910 – 12 Jan, 1912	Succeeded by Alexander R. Palmer
Preceded by Stanley L. Willis	Captain of H.M.S. Forth 12 Jan, 1912 – Aug, 1914	Succeeded by Lionel A. D. Sturdee
Preceded by Harold G. Campbell	Captain of H.M.S. Lurcher 3 Aug, 1914 – 22 Sep, 1915	Succeeded by Lionel G. Dawson
Preceded by Norman D. Holbrook	Captain of H.M.S. B 11 5 Oct, 1915 – late 1915	Succeeded by Samuel M. G. Gravener
Preceded by Wilmot S. Nicholson	Captain of H.M.S. Aurora 1 Dec, 1916 – 6 Jul, 1917	Succeeded by Wilfrid Nunn
Preceded by A. Dudley P. R. Pound	Captain of H.M.S. Colossus 6 Jul, 1917 – Nov, 1917	Succeeded by Charles P. Beaty-Pownall
Preceded by Percy Withers	Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla 9 Jan, 1918 – 17 Mar, 1919	Succeeded by Roger L'E. M. Rede as Commander (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
Preceded by Arthur J. Davies	Captain of H.M.S. Lion 17 Mar, 1919 – 1 Jan, 1920	Succeeded by Albert P. Addison
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Hood 1 Jan, 1920 – 31 Mar, 1921	Succeeded by Geoffrey Mackworth
Preceded by Henry W. Parker	Director of Operations Division 21 Nov, 1923	Succeeded by Percy L. H. Noble
Preceded by Alfred D. P. R. Pound	Chief of Staff, Mediterranean Station 1 Jan, 1927 – 6 Feb, 1929	Succeeded by John K. im Thurn
Preceded by A. Dudley P. R. Pound	Assistant Chief of Naval Staff 22 Apr, 1929	Succeeded by John K. im Thurn
Preceded by A. Dudley P. R. Pound	Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron 24 Apr, 1931	Succeeded by William M. James