World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
James Thompson
Forename(s):
James
Surname:
Thompson
Initial(s):
J
Service Number:
PO/1272/S
Rank:
Corporal
(Acting)
Regiment:
Royal Marine Light Infantry, 63rd Machine Gun Battalion
Died:
27/09/1918
Aged:
21
Buried:
Louverval Military Cemetery, Doignies
Service History:
Enlisted in December 1915.
Served with the Royal Marine Battalion in Ireland between 26 April - 14 May 1916 (the Irish Easter Rising). Embarked with the Royal Marine Brigade 30 May 1916. Drafted to the British Expeditionary Force from 25 September 1916.
Promoted Acting Corporal 22 May 1918 (Substantive Private).
Took part in actions at Beaumont, Kemmel & Cambrai.
Killed at Cambrai. Died of gunshot wounds to the right-hand side of the body, at the 149th (Royal Navy Division) Field Ambulance.
Background:
Born on 8 July 1896, at Hetton Steads, Wooler, Northumberland, the yougest child of William Thompson (b. about 1851; at Bowsden, Northumberland; Farm Labourer), by his wife, Agness (b. about 1854; at Yetholm, Roxburghshire, Scotland).
The 1911 Census records William & Agnes having been married for 34 years. Their marriage had produced eleven children only one of who, then, had died. Thompson was still at school while all of his siblings were employed as Farm Labourers. The family (parents & six children) lived in four rooms at Roseden, Wooperton, Alnwick, Northumberland.
The UK, Royal Navy & Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 (available via Ancestry.co.uk) records Thompson's mother having been notified of his death at Happier Hall, Belford, Northumberland.
Local Memorial:
Lucker, Memorial Booklet 1914-1918 (Published in 1921)
Lucker, Memorial Cross
(Source: newmp.org.uk)