Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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2537   Private William John Thompson
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 20/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards (British Army)
Died: 27/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 33
Summary      
William John Thompson was born in Kilrea about 1885. He married Rachel Davison in June 1909. They lived with her mother and father in Gortmacrane, Kilrea. William was a general labourer. It is believed they had two children. William Thompson enlisted in Ballymoney, joining the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards. He was injured a number of times before Private William Thompson was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action by a shell in France during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918.
Further Information
William John Thompson was born in Kilrea about 1885.
William Thompson married Rachel Davison on 9th June 1909 in the district of Magherafelt.
The 1911 census lists William John as age 26 living with his wife and child and his wife’s parents at house 51 in Gortmacrane, Hervey Hill, Londonderry. William was a general labourer.
It is believed they had two children.
William Thompson enlisted in Ballymoney, joining the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards.
Medal card
In May 1915, his family received information that Private William Thompson was injured and removed to hospital in Manchester.
From the Northern Constitution dated 29th May 1915:
Mrs Thompson of Drumsaragh has been informed by the War Office that her husband has once again been wounded and is in hospital in Manchester.
In February 1917, a local newspaper reports that he was at the family home in Drumsaragh, recovering from another injury. It is believed to have been the third time he had been wounded.
From the Northern Constitution dated 3rd February 1917:
Private W J Thompson, Irish Guards, has arrived home from hospital at the residence of his father-in-law Mr W M Davidson, Drumsaragh on Tuesday. He was wounded three times.
Private William Thompson was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action by a shell in France during the German Spring Offensive in March 1918.
From the Northern Constitution dated 13th April 1918:
Intimation has been received by Mrs W J Thompson, Drumsaragh, that her husband Guardsman William J Thompson has been killed in action. He was in the reserves at the outbreak of the war and was twice wounded.
His commanding officer, Captain Sasson, wrote to Rachel, informing her that her husband, stating that he had the intention to recommend the Guardsman for a medal, ‘which he thoroughly deserved for the splendid bravery he always showed under heavy fire.’
From the Northern Constitution dated 28th April 1918:
Captain Sasson writing to Mrs Thompson, Drumsaragh, informing her that her husband, Guardsman William J Thompson was killed by a shell, states that he had the intention to recommend the Guardsman for a medal, which he thoroughly deserved for the splendid bravery he always showed under heavy fire. He was the most popular man in the company.
From the Northern Constitution dated 4th May 1918:
THOMPSON – Guardsman William J, killed in action 27th March 1918, Irish Guards. Dearly beloved husband of Rachel, Blackrock, Boveedy, Kilrea.
Last Will and Testament of Private William John Thompson dated 4th October 1916:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife, Mrs Thompson, Gortmacrane, Kilrea, County Derry. W J Thompson, 2537 Private Irish Guards.
Private Thompson is buried in Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery, France. Ayette is a village thirteen kilometres south of Arras on the road to Amiens, and Douchy-les-Ayette is a village one kilometre west of Ayette.
The CWGC record Private William John Thompson as the husband of Rachel Thompson of Gortmacrane, Kilrea, County Londonderry.
William John Thompson is listed in the Kilrea book (p72-73), the Garvagh book (p58-59) and the Ballymoney book (p302).
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Gortmacrane, Hervey Hill Kilrea Census listing in Gortmacrane, Hervey Hill 54.943505 -6.587993
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Davison family 1901 census lists Rachel as age 10 living with her family at house 7 in Drumsaragh, Hervey Hill, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists Davison / Thompson family 1911 census lists William John as age 26 living with the family at house 51 in Gortmacrane, Hervey Hill, Londonderry
3 Ballymoney Heroes 1914-18 Details of Private William John Thompson
4 Friends of the 36th Details of Private William John Thompson including small grave photo
5 Garvagh and Aghadowey 1914-1918 Brief details of Private William John Thompson
6 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Private William J Thompson
7 National Archives UK Medal card of Private William J Thompson can be purchased here
8 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private William John Thompson's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023