Mrs Lilian Tompkins

Ann Campbell Posted: 2 Nov 2011

Lilian Jane Tompkins, nee Crabb. Born about 1865 Taunton, England, the daughter of Hugh Crabb, seed merchant and Jane Sparks.

Emmigrated to New Zealand about 1882, aged 17 years with Father and siblings after the death of their mother.
Lilian married Arthur Henry Tompkins 19 October 1887 at Halcombe, NZ.

Her husband Arthur was a store keeper at Halcombe with his brother James. They moved to Hamilton in 1907 and owned farm property at Tuhikaramea (?spelling), near Hamilton. Involved in sawmilling with Bartholomew Timbers which was later bought by Forset products.

Their children were - Lance Tompkins,1895 who became a supreme Court Judge.

Gladys, registered nurse, never married, was nursing in Malaysia at the start of WW2, imprisoned by Japanese at Changi Prison in Singapore. Later returned to nursing in Malaysia. Her diary kept while in Changi and watercolours are now at the Turnbull Library.

Teresa Dorothy, trained as a teacher, married Norman Russell Withiel Thomas - these are my Grandparents.

Koa, lived in Sydney Australia and the youngest child - Ken, was a dentist in New Plymouth.

Lilian died in Hamilton in 1960 and is buried in the Hamilton East Cemetary with her husband and daughters.

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