Leonard William Tonkin (1914 - 1987)

Born 13 Mar 1914 in New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 1987 at about age 72 in New Zealand

Biography

Leonard Tonkin was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

This profile is part of the Tonkin Name Study.

Leonard was born in 1914. He was the son of Herbert Tonkin and Amy Piddock. He passed away in 1987. ^[1]

Northern Advocate 25 Jul 1941
Pte Len Tonkin Died of Wounds
Mr H.H. Tonkin of Dargaville has been advised that his only son Len, who enlisted and sailed with the Second Echelon, and saw service in Britain, Egypt, Greece and Crete has died of wounds.
Educated at the Dargaville District High School, Pte Tonkin took a keen interest in all sport and in the activities of the town and was a member of the Dargaville Chamber of Commerce. ^[2]

Bay of Plenty Beacon 13 Oct 1941
DREAM CAME TRUE
N.Z. Soldier is Safe
An amazing coincidence, probably without parallel in the history of New Zealand, is connected with the news that Corporal L Tonkin of Dargaville, is a prisoner of war in Germany.
Corporal Tonkin, a nephew of Mrs F.G. Hayward of Thames, was reported wounded on June 13. Further cabled news on July 22 stated that he was presumed to have died of wounds in Crete. Advice was that a court of enquiry was being held.
More than 300 telegrams of condolence were received by Corporal Tonkin's parents. Then came a series of surprises.
A close friend of he family told the father of a dream he had. He had seen the "dead" soldier in a street in Dargaville. "It has all been a mistake! I will be with you this afternoon!" the soldier said.
No significance was attached to the vision. But on Friday last came a bombshell. Official news, proving other reports to be wrong, arrived from Geneva. Corporal Tonkin was unwounded and a prisoner, it stated.
Just how much faith can be pinned in overseas reports is illustrated by the example of bungling.
Corporal Tonkin is well known in Thames, having visited the town on many occasions. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Death and Marriage historical records New Zealand DEATH TONKIN Leonard William; date of birth13 Mar 1914; registration number 1987/35869
2. ↑ Papers Past Northern Advocate, 25 July 1941, Page 4
3. ↑ Papers Past Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 167, 13 October 1941, Page 5

• Auckland Museum Cenotaph Record Leonard William Tonkin
• Archives New Zealand Will and Probate Leonard William Tonkin