Rushden has sustained a heavy loss, especially in its musical culture, by the death of Mr. Bernard Tomkins, which occurred in Northampton General Hospital shortly after 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Tomkins, who resided at “Cecilia,” Station-road, was 59 years of age. His health had given some cause for anxiety during the last year or two, but after an operation at Northampton on Wednesday of last week it was hoped that he might look forward to a substantial improvement. His collapse was quite unforeseen. Few men in the district had made a greater or more varied contribution to local musical progress, and few had endeared themselves to a wider circle of friends. He had an expansive and buoyant personality, was a great raconteur, and never spared himself in his work or his service to friends. Second son of the late Rev. W. J. Tomkins, who was from 1885 to 1898 minister of the Rushden Park-road Baptist Church, he was born at Ridgmont, Beds., and after the death of his mother was brought up in the care of Miss A. S. Williams, now of Newton-road, Rushden. Singing Career He was marked for a medical career and studied at Middlesex Hospital for a time, but then entered the book publishing business in the employ of a London firm. One evening he sang at a staff concert, and his ringing tenor voice made such an impression that friends soon set up a subscription to pay for his training at the Royal Academy of Music. He had evidently inherited his vocal talent from his mother’s sister, who was a professional singer. By his own efforts and the winning of scholarships he was able to extend his education at the R.A.M. Joining the choir of the City Temple, London, he soon became a tenor of real distinction and made his debut as a concert artiste at the Crystal Palace in 1906. For many years subsequently he fulfilled innumerable professional engagements, but always remained willing to help good causes in Rushden and neighbourhood for a nominal fee or no fee at all. On one occasion he sang the solo part at the Crystal Palace Handel Festival at 48 hours’ notice. When at the height of his powers Mr. Tomkins made a number of gramophone records. About the time he came of age his health was not good, and he thought seriously of going abroad on behalf of the Baptist Missionary Society. Instead, however, he joined the staff of the late Mr. Charles Cross at the “Echo” Office, Rushden, doing journalistic and advertising work for several years. At the same time he began to teach singing. He extended his connection to Bedford and Northampton, and became the tutor of many pupils who have done credit to his skill and pains. Work With Baton While the Rev. E. J. K. Wright was minister of the Rushden Congregational Church, Mr. Tomkins was choirmaster there and served as a deacon. During the Great War he toured extensively with the Lena Ashwell concert parties. Afterwards he was for several years conductor to the Rushden and Bedford Operatic Societies. At one time he organised annual concerts at the Rushden Public Hall, bringing many celebrities to the town. Some years after the war he became choirmaster at the Rushden Park-road Baptist Church and from 1925 brought to the annual choir festivals a large number of first-class artistes. He retired from the choirmastership a few years ago after 21 years’ service, but had in the meantime become conductor of the Rushden Choral Society, taking charge of all their concerts from 1933 until the work was suspended early in the present war. Mr. Tomkins was a member of the Concert Artistes Association, the Incorporated Society of Musicians and the exclusive Society of English Singers. His contacts with professional and amateur musicians were amazing in their number and in each case he won the genuine affection of these friends. Masonic Offices He had been a Freemason since 1923 and was Master of the Pemberton Lodge in 1938. He was the present M.E.Z. of the Pemberton Chapter, Past Master of the Croyland Mark Lodge, Wellingborough, and Past Commander of the Admiral Beatty Ark Mariners Lodge, Wellingborough. For a few years he was a member of the Rushden Rotary Club, which he helped to establish, and during the present war he had worked as Milk Officer to the Higham Ferrers Food Control Committee. He leaves a widow (nee Miss Lily Hustwaite), for whom much sympathy will be felt. His elder brother, Will, was a victim of the Great War. Mr. Eric Tomkins, of Rushden, the well-known sportsman, is a half-brother. The funeral service will be held in the Park-road Baptist Church at 1 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).