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.
George Young Thompson
Forename(s):
George Young
Surname:
Thompson
Initial(s):
G Y
Service Number:
21662
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
King's Own Scottish Borderers, 6th (Service) Battalion
Died:
04/08/1916
Aged:
21
Buried:
Norham (St. Cuthbert's) Churchyard, Northumberland
Service History:
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
Thompson arrived in France on 31 December 1915 as a member of the 6th (Service) Battalion, KingÂ’s Own Scottish Borderers which formed part of the 9th Division.
Whilst his unit successfully took Bernafray Wood on the second day of the Battle of the Somme, Thompson is likely to have received his serious wounds in the subsequent battle for the Bazentin Ridge, probably during the ferocious dawn attack on the Longueval Redoubt.
Repatriated to England, George was sent to a military hospital in Liverpool for further treatment but succumbed to his injuries, dying on 4 August 1916 exactly 2 years after the conflict began.
Background:
Born at Horncliffe, Northumberland, the son of Thomas Y. Thompson (b. 1866 at Eglingham) & his wife Jane Patterson Thompson (née Moore, b. 1868 at Spittal).
The 1901 Census reveals Thompson, aged 5, as living with his family in Mr. GauldÂ’s garden house at Horncliffe. His father was a Market Gardener, assisted by 14 years-old James Herbertson from Newcastle.
Thompson had 2 younger sisters, Maggie (b. 1897) & Janet (b.1900).
Tragedy hit the family little over a year after the birth of Janet when Thompson's 6-month old brother, Thomas Moore, died on 5 January 1902, shortly followed by his father Thomas, on 28 January, aged only 36.
The 1911 Census records Jane, now widowed, as a Shop Keeper living at 13, West Street, Spittal, with daughters Margaret (Maggie), aged 14, & Janet, aged 11. Both girls were still at school. Thompson, aged 15, was working as a Farm Labourer at Lemmington Cottages, & living with farmer Thomas Stephenson.
Thompson was resident at Longframlington, Northumberland immediately before joining up.
His mother was his sole legatee.
Local Memorial:
Edlingham, Memorial Tablet in St. John the Baptist Church
Norham, CWGC grave at St. Cuthbert's Churchyard
Whittingham, Roll of Honour at St. Bartholomew's Church
Whittingham & Callaly 1914-1918 Memorial Stone