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.
Ayette is a village some 13 kilometres south of Arras on the road to Amiens, and Douchy-les-Ayette is a village 1 kilometre west of Ayette. The British Cemetery is opposite the Communal Cemetery on the north side of the road, halfway between the two villages next to a barn.
