William Tomkinson (1790 – 1872) was a British Army cavalry officer and memoirist. He entered the British Army in the early 19th century and served with distinction during the Peninsular War (1808–1814), participating in several engagements against Napoleonic forces. After the war, Tomkinson continued his military career, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring from active service.
Following his retirement, Tomkinson authored a memoir entitled The Diary of a Soldier in the Peninsular War, which provides a first‑hand account of British military operations, daily life of a cavalry officer, and observations on the broader campaign. The work has been cited in historical studies of the Peninsular War for its detailed descriptions of battles, logistics, and the social conditions of soldiers.
Tomkinson died in 1872. His contributions to military literature and his service record have secured his inclusion in biographical compendia of British military figures of the Napoleonic era.
