William Edward Thompson
Memorial: Downend - Christ Church
Regiment: Royal Berkshire Regiment
Medals: British War Medal, Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921, Victory Medal
Rank and number: Private 36861
Parents: Charles Henry and Sabina Jane Elizabeth Esther Thompson (nee Weeks)
Marital status: Single
Home address: North Street, Staple Hill, Bristol
Pre-war occupation: Apprentice Carpenter
Date of birth: 1897
Place of birth: North Street, Staple Hill, Bristol
Date of death: 31/05/1918
Buried/Commemorated at: Montcornet Military Cemetery (Ref. B. 8.), Aisne, France
Age: 21
Further information:
William Edward Thompson was the middle of six children born to parents Charles and Sabina Thompson and was baptised on 18th April 1897 at Christ Church, Downend.
He first served as Private 31488 in the Worcestershire Regiment before being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment) as Private 36861. William Thompson Died of Wounds as a Prisoner of War in Germany. The Register of Soldiers' Effects shows he had Army pay of £14.9s.10d which was sent to father on 11th November 1919 together with a War Gratuity of £12.10s.0d. This is indicative of him enlisting in the month from 1st March 1916.
Commemorated on the Christ Church Downend and Staple Hill (Page Park) Memorials.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
Forces War Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Soldiers Died In The Great War, Find A Grave index, England Select Births & Christenings, Free BMD, Medal Rolls Index Card, Select Church of England Parish Registers, UK Censuses, David Blackmore – Mangotsfield Residents Association