1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment (British Army)
Died:
15/04/1917 (Died at Sea)
Age:
Summary
James Thompson was born about 1881 in Kilrea. Private James Thompson was serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he died at sea on Sunday 15th April 1917. His unit was travelling to the Eastern theatres of War, Salonika and Palestine and were on board the troop ship SS Arcadian in the Mediterranean. It had left Salonika headed for Egypt when it encountered an enemy submarine. It was torpedoed and the ship sank. In his will, he left all to his grandmother, Mrs Jane McCotter, who was living at Castle Street in Ballymoney.
Further Information
James Thompson was born about 1881 in Kilrea.
His mother remarried to become Mrs Jamieson.
James apparently lived in Glenmanus, Portrush for a time. (TBC)
James Thompson enlisted in Ballymoney with the Royal Irish Rifles.
Private Thompson later transferred to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private James Thompson was serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he died at sea on Sunday 15th April 1917.
His unit was travelling to the Eastern theatres of War, Salonika and Palestine and were on board the troop ship SS Arcadian in the Mediterranean. It had left Salonika headed for Egypt when it encountered an enemy submarine. It was torpedoed and the ship sank in the Mediterranean.
In his will, he left all to his grandmother, Mrs Jane McCotter, who was living at Castle Street in Ballymoney.
Last Will and Testament of Private James Thompson dated 23rd January 1917:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my grandmother, Mrs Jane McCotter, 12 Castle Street, Ballymoney.
Private James Thompson was lost at sea and is commemorated on the Mikra Memorial. The Memorial is in Mika Cemetery in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece.
The CWGC record Private James Thompson as the son of Mrs Jamieson (formerly Thompson), of Craghuller, Cloyfin, Coleraine, County Derry.
