In Lens Eastern Communal Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 104992 Sapper Edward Tobin serving with the 173rd Tunneling Company Royal Engineers who died 30/10/1916.

Dorothy Hall has submitted the following:-

Edward was the son of Edward and Maria (Ryans) Tobin and was born 18th October 1873 at Lodge Hill, Durham City. In 1901 he was living with his parents at North Street Langley Park. 20th July 1901 Edward married Annie McLeavey and the couple went on to have eight children. In 1911 they are living at 7 Bowden Terrace, Bowden Close near Crook. Edward was a miner working for Pease and Partners. They had moved c1910 from Helmington Row.

Edward enlisted 12th August 1915, he was five foot 6 and a half inches tall and weighed 146 pounds. Edward joined the Tunnelling Company of the Royal Engineers and within eight days was in France.

Edward was killed on 30th October 1916 aged 43 years. Francis his son was born four months later. His widow received a pension of 38 shillings and nine pence a week for herself and their eight children.

Edward is remembered on his parent’s headstone at St. Michael’s Esh Laude and at Helmington Row on H138.01 and H138.02 (Darlington D40.039).