Donald Herbert Tomkinson Architect

[Donches]

I am researching Donald Herbert Tomkinson who was Chief Architect of Coventry from 1966 to 1972. He died early in the Canterbury region, in 1972. I'm sure there must have been obituaries for him, but haven't been able to find one. I wonder if anyone could help?

Don

[stanmapstone]

In The Times, April 10th 1968, there is a report about a car park in Canterbury,  which states that the City Architect is Donald Tomkinson.
In the issue of June 24th 1972, there is a solicitor's notice which refers to the estate of Donald Herbert Tomkinson of 12 St. Dunstan's Terrace, Canterbury, who died 31st January 1972.

In the issue of January 15th 1973, there is the announcement of the engagement between Robin Stanton and Patricia Anne widow of  Donald Tomkinson of Canterbury.

Stan

[JJen]

Donald served in WW2

Donald Herbert Tomkinson
Event Date - 29 Feb 1944
Regiment Number - 14491538
Regiment - Queen's Royal West Surrey

There is a record of Donald being commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant Cheshire Reg in The London Gazette
4 June 1946.

JJ

[JJen]

Donald Herbert Tomkinson of 12 Dunstans Terrace, Canterbury died 31 January 1972.
Administration - London 30 May £12455

JJ

[Donches]

I'm very grateful for the additional information which I had not found. I had misread that Donald Herbert was Chief Architect for Coventry from 1966 to 1972, which I now see should be Canterbury. I am hoping to find an obituary for him which should give more information and the causes of his death a quite a young age. There seems to be one on Ancestry and I wonder if anyone can access this.

I might explain my interest in Donald as he was coincidentally my namesake, also an architect and I find a third cousin once removed.

Don

[Girl Guide]

If you wish to know what he died of you could consider obtaining his death certificate from the GRO.

This is the record from free bmd

Deaths Mar 1972   
TOMKINSON    Donald Herbert    15My1926    Canterbury    5f   343

Added: Have you thought about contacting local newspapers for Canterbury and asking if they have any record of an obituary for him?

[Donches]

Many thanks.  Don

[Girl Guide]

Have you thought about contacting RIBA and asking if they have any information on him?  This will be assuming he was a member of it.

https://www.architecture.com/contact-and-visit

[giblet]

Hi Dan,

Have you tried British Newspaper Archive? You have to register and you get a couple of free searches.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/