Arras Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Burton Thompson was born 1892 in Trimdon Grange, the son of David Thompson (1860 Trimdon - 15 August 1937 Chilton) and Hannah Watson ( 1863 Trimdon - 22 January 1955 Chilton), one of 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. David Thompson from the age of 21 worked as a blacksmith at the colliery and married Hannah March 14th 1882. Thomas at the age of 18 was a colliery labourer but at the time of his enlistment was a screen engine man.
Thomas enlisted in Ferryhill, June 10th 1916 as Private 35828 Durham Light Infantry, initially transferred to the Army Reserve he was mobilised October 18th 1917. Sent to France and he joined the 20th Battalion,123rd Brigade, attached to the 41st Division, in the field, November 9th 1917. The Division was moved to Italy November 17th 1917, by train, to Mantua where it took up position near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February 1918 it was summoned back to France and departed Campo St. Piero by train bound for Doullers and Mondicourt. They were in action during the Battle of St Quentin, the Battle of Bapaume, the Battles of Arras and the Battle of Lys. In March 17th they were transferred to the 124th Brigade still attached to the 41st Division and moved to the 124th Brigade area where the bands of the 10th Queens and the 26th Royal Fusiliers played the Battalion into the new Brigade area on March 18th. They underwent a practise run for mobilisation and were inspected by senior officers who found them to be entirely satisfactory. The following days they were entrained and moved nearer to Albert and on to Achiet-Le-Grand arriving at 2 a.m. March 22nd. That same day they were moved up to defend Vaulx-Vraucourt which they held successfully. At 8 a.m. March 23rd 1918 the enemy launched an attack against the left wing of the Battalion which was successfully repelled by machine gun fire, it came in waves during the entire day and was carried out well but did not penetrate the Battalion’s line. By evening several officers were killed or wounded and amongst the other ranks 18 killed, 60 wounded and 5 killed.
It was during this attack that Private 35828 Thomas Burton Thompson was reported as wounded/missing. The War Office declared after a lapse of time that his death was presumed to have occurred on or after March 23rd 1918. Thomas has no known grave and his name is recorded on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial to the Missing, within Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery in the city of Arras, France. Thomas was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was 26 years old and unmarried.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Burton Thompson is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04, C107.09 and C107.12
