| William John Thompson was born in Kilrea about 1885.
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| William Thompson married Rachel Davison on 9th June 1909 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| 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.
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| It is believed they had two children.
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| William Thompson enlisted in Ballymoney, joining the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards.
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| In May 1915, his family received information that Private William Thompson was injured and removed to hospital in Manchester.
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| From the Northern Constitution dated 29th May 1915:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| From the Northern Constitution dated 3rd February 1917:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| From the Northern Constitution dated 13th April 1918:
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| 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.
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| 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.’
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| From the Northern Constitution dated 28th April 1918:
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| 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.
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| From the Northern Constitution dated 4th May 1918:
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| THOMPSON – Guardsman William J, killed in action 27th March 1918, Irish Guards. Dearly beloved husband of Rachel, Blackrock, Boveedy, Kilrea.
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| Last Will and Testament of Private William John Thompson dated 4th October 1916:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| The CWGC record Private William John Thompson as the husband of Rachel Thompson of Gortmacrane, Kilrea, County Londonderry.
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| William John Thompson is listed in the Kilrea book (p72-73), the Garvagh book (p58-59) and the Ballymoney book (p302).
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