| Date |
Information |
|
| 20/05/2020 |
01456 |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
William Thompson married Rachel Davison on 9th June 1909 in the district of Magherafelt. |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
It is believed they had two children. |
| 01/04/2016 |
William Thompson enlisted in Ballymoney, joining the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards. |
| 01/04/2016 |
In May 1915, his family received information that Private William Thompson was injured and removed to hospital in Manchester. |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
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.’ |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
The CWGC record Private William John Thompson as the husband of Rachel Thompson of Gortmacrane, Kilrea, County Londonderry. |
| 01/04/2016 |
From the Northern Constitution dated 29th May 1915: |
| 01/04/2016 |
William John Thompson was born in Kilrea about 1885. |
| 01/04/2016 |
From the Northern Constitution dated 3rd February 1917: |
| 01/04/2016 |
From the Northern Constitution dated 13th April 1918: |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
From the Northern Constitution dated 28th April 1918: |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
From the Northern Constitution dated 4th May 1918: |
| 01/04/2016 |
THOMPSON – Guardsman William J, killed in action 27th March 1918, Irish Guards. Dearly beloved husband of Rachel, Blackrock, Boveedy, Kilrea. |
| 01/04/2016 |
Last Will and Testament of Private William John Thompson dated 4th October 1916: |
| 01/04/2016 |
 |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
| 01/04/2016 |
 |
| 01/04/2016 |
William John Thompson is listed in the Kilrea book (p72-73), the Garvagh book (p58-59) and the Ballymoney book (p302). |
| 01/04/2016 |
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. |
