| Title |
The Papers of Vice-Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson |
| Reference |
GBR/0014/TOMK |
| Creator |
Tomkinson, Wilfred, 1877-1971, Vice-Admiral |
| Covering Dates |
1892–1945 |
| Extent and Medium |
9 boxes |
| Repository |
Churchill Archives Centre |
|
| Content and context |
|
Wilfred Tomkinson was born in 1877. In 1907 he married Edith Joan and they had 1 son and 4 daughters together. Tomkinson died 7 October 1971. In 1891 Tomkinson joined "HMS Britannia", in 1900 he served in the China War and in 1918 was involved in the operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend. In 1926 he served as Naval ADC to the King. In 1927 he became Chief of Staff to Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet. In 1931 he was made Vice-Admiral. He was later relieved of his command following the mutiny at Invergordon. During 1940-42 he served as Flag Officer in Charge Bristol Channel. He was awarded a number of honours including foreign Orders.
Many of the papers relate to the Invergordon Mutiny and Tomkinson's subsequent treatment by the Admiralty. The British attacks on Zeebrugge and Ostend in 1918 also feature in some of the documents. Tomkinson left a large number of photographs which illustrate his naval career and his family life.
These papers were deposited at Churchill Archives Centre in 1972 by Tomkinson's son.
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Access and Use
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The collection is open (except for Box 9) for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge. Churchill Archives Centre is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. A prior appointment and two forms of identification are required.
Researchers wishing to publish excerpts from the papers must obtain prior permission from the copyright holders and should seek advice from Archives Centre staff.
Please cite as Churchill Archives Centre, The Papers of Vice-Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson, TOMK
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| Further information |
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The papers of Captain Andrew Henderson (ref. HEND) and Admiral Sir (Alfred) Dudley Pound (ref. DUPO) are also held at Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge.
This collection (fonds) level description was prepared by Louise King of Churchill Archives Centre in July 2003, using information from existing box lists and the papers themselves.
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| Index Terms |
| First World War (1914-1918) |
| Invergordon |
| Keyes, Roger John Brownlow (1872-1945) 1st Baron Keyes of Zeebrugge and of Dover, Admiral of the Fleet |
| Tomkinson, Wilfred (1877-1971) Vice-Admiral |
| Churchill/TOMK contains: |
|
1
|
Reports on Zeebrugge and Ostend operations. As well as the official published reports there is also a Zeebrugge Museum poster. There are also papers concerning the recommendation for Lieutenant Tomkinson's promotion to Commander, by Captain Maclachlan of "HMS Hibernia" in 1909.
1 file. |
1909–1918 |
|
2
|
Journal while in "HMS Conflict". Interleaved with photographs and additional news cuttings.
5 volumes. |
1913-Oct 1918 |
|
3
|
Correspondence with Admiral-of-the-Fleet, Sir Roger Keyes.
1 box. |
1908–1943 |
|
4
|
Photographs. Showing ships and family.
1 file. |
1908–1910 |
|
5
|
Photograph Album. The photographs cover naval and family subjects including the visits on "HMS Hood" of the monarchs of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
1 box. |
1917–1920 |
|
6
|
Photograph Album and loose photographs. An ornate Asian album containing photographs from "HMS Fame" and Hong Kong, the photographs include various ships, groups, harbours and crews. The file of loose photographs includes aerial shots of Zeebrugge and Ostend after the 1918 attacks. The file also includes papers (1899-1900) relating to Tomkinson's commands.
1 volume and 1 file. |
1898–1902 |
|
7
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Photograph Album. The photographs include theatricals by the crew of the "Empress of India", various ships, "HMS Crescent", and Quebec.
1 box. |
1892–1899 |
|
8
|
Plan of the British attack on Zeebrugge in April 1918. Printed engraving.
1 roll. |
1930 |
|
9
|
Papers relating to the Invergordon Incident. Including naval signals and correspondence.
1 box. |
1930–1945 |
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