Died: 27th November 1914
Age: 23
Arthur Woodland Toms, second son of FW Toms, of 1, Claremont Terrace, Jersey, was born 25th April, 1891. He entered [Victoria College] in 1900 and left in 1910. He was in the Shooting VIII for three years and in the Football XI for four, being Vice-Captain of Football in his last two years. He joined the 3rd Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment (Special Reserve) in February 1912, and was promoted Lieutenant in February 1914. Three days before the war broke out he received the offer of an appointment in West Africa from the Colonial Office.
From 4th August, 1914 he was on garrison duty in England until he was attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) early in October. He was accidentally killed on 27th November, 1914, while serving with the Expeditionary Force on the borders of Flanders, and is buried in the cemetery at Estaires.
The Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment wrote: “He was a great favourite in the Regiment and a most capable officer.”
The above text appeared in The Book of Remembrance of Victoria College published in 1920.
The link to the Channel Islands Great War Project website:
http://www.greatwarci.net/honour/jersey/database/toms-aw-estaires.htm
