He was the youngest son of Henry and Minnie Tomkinson, "Chandos", 16 Alstone Road, Heaton Chapel. Before he enlisted in the army, he worked in the offices of Taylor, Garnett, Evans & Co, South Reddish. The company printed the Manchester Guardian and Henry Tomkinson as one of its directors.

Basil's service number confirms that he was not an early volunteer for the army and would have joined up, in early 1916. He was killed in the fighting described here.