Pte 86364 Louis De Witt Tomlinson

• Age: 37
• From: Leeds, Yorks
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 8th November 1917
• Commemorated at: Kemmel Chateau Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: X.63

Lewis Dewett/ Louis De Witt Tomlinson was born in the September quarter of 1880 at Leeds and was the son of Lewis Weet Tomlinson and his wife Elizabeth (nee Seymour) of Leeds who had married on 4th September 1873.

The 1881 Census shows the family living at 110 High Street, Leeds.

The father Lewis aged 29, born 1852 is employed as a drysalter and was born in Leeds. His wife Elizabeth aged 33 with no occupation listed was also born in Leeds. At the taking of the Census they have three children, Mary aged 5, born 1876 is a scholar, Annie aged 3, born 1878 and Louis De Witt born 1881. Their children were all born in Leeds. They also have a lodger Mary Seymour (Elizabeth's mother), aged 63 and born 1818 in Melbourne, Yorkshire and she is employed as a a dressmaker.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 106 High Street, Leeds.

The father Lewis aged 40, born 1851, is employed as a general dealer and his wife Elizabeth aged 43 with no occupation listed. They now have six children, Mary Victoria aged 15 has no occupation listed, Annie Elizabeth aged 12, Louis De Witt aged 10, Olive aged 8, born 1893, and Jane aged 6, born 1885 are all scholars. Their youngest child Frederic is aged 1 and born 1890. Elizabeth's mother Mary Seymour, aged 71 and a widow  is still living at the address.

The 1901 Census shows the family still living at 106 High Street, Leeds.

The father Lewis aged 50, is now employed as a drysalter and his wife Elizabeth aged 53 with no occupation listed. Their six children are all living at home , Mary Victoria aged 25 has no occupation listed, Annie Elizabeth aged 23 is employed as a tailor’s presser, Louis De Witt aged 21,is an assistant provisions dealer,  Olive aged 18, is a pinafore hand Jane aged 15 and Frederick Victor aged 12  have no occupation listed.

He married Ada Batty on 30th March 1908. He signed the register as Louis De Witt Tomlinson, a 27 year old bachelor employed as a Master Grocer, living at 4 Robson Street, Leeds.      

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 40 Markham Place Leeds. 

Lewis aged 30, is a grocer and his wife Ada is aged 31, born 1880 in Leeds as was their child Arthur Louis aged 2, born 1909. 

He enlisted in Leeds and originally served as Private 17740, Army Cyclist Corps. Following a transfer, he was serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 86364 when he was killed in action on the 8^th November 1917. 

He now lies in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1,135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Probate records show:  Tomlinson Lewis otherwise Louis De Witt of 3 Bexley Grove, Harehills Road, Leeds, a Private in the King’s Liverpool Regiment died 8^th November 1917 in Belgium. Administration (with will) Wakefield 5^th April to Ada Tomlinson widow, Effects £903 10s 2 d.

CWGC have him registered as L D Tomlinson. Son of Lewis Weet Tomlinson and Elizabeth Tomlinson, of Leeds; husband of Ada Tomlinson, of 2. Bexley Grove, Harehills Rd., Leeds. 

We currently have no further information on Lewis Dewett/De Witt Tomlinson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.