Photo: Alan Little
Heslop's Local Advertiser
3/8824 Private
T. Thompson
Durham Light Infantry
18th May 1916 Age 26
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Thompson born 1890 at Heworth married to Sarah enlisted exact date unknown initially assigned as Private 8824 to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The 3rd Battalion had its origins in the North Durham Militia with HQ at Durham designed to defend the country from foreign invasion however by 1908 their role was more of Reserve unit with the 3rd based at Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, they were classed as Regular Army.
When the First World War broke out they were mobilised and once joined by ex-regular soldiers who were still serving in the Reserve they were transferred to the 2nd Battalion D.L.I. until sufficient numbers were reached, the remainder remained in the 3rd assigned to the Tyne Defences. Private Thompson was one of those transferred to the 2nd Battalion and departed to Whittington Barracks in Lichfield for training as part of the 18th Brigade, 6th Division. Training completed the Regiment sailed from Southampton for France, September 20th 1914, the first Regular battalion of the D.L.I. to see action in WW1 at Troyon on the River Aisne. They participated on the Aisne and at Armentieres in France, the Ypres salient and especially at Hooge, in Belgium, August 8th-9th 1915, suffering the loss of 50 officers and 1500 men killed, wounded or missing.
Private Thompson was wounded in August 1915 and evacuated back to the U.K. making his way through the specialised military hospital system until he was admitted to the 1st Northern General Hospital (50th Northumberland Division), Newcastle Infirmary.
Private 3/8824 Thomas Thompson Durham Light Infantry died at the 1st Northern General Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 1.55 p.m. May 18th 1916. A Coroners' inquest was held May 19th which concluded he had died due to wounds received whilst on active service, “injured at the seat of War.”
Private Thomas Thompson is interred at St. Alban Churchyard, Windy Nook, Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham, grave near SE corner of the Church. He was 26 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Service Medal sent to her at 1, Garden Place, Felling-on-Tyne, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 26/05/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Thomas Thompson, died at Newcastle Infirmary on May 18th, of wounds received in action in Augd 1915, aged 26 years. Husband of Sarah Thompson, 1 Garden Place, Felling.”
Coroner's Report No. 269. Dated 19th May 1916. (No location given where autopsy was held).
"Thomas Thompson aged 26 years. Pte No 8824, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, records York. Home address c/o Mrs Walters, No 1 Garden Place, Felling. Died in the 1st Northern General Hospital at 1.55pm on the 18th.
After enquiries the Coroner granted a Certificate. Injured at the seat of War."
Thomas Thompson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 /a> and H92.07 at Windy Nook on W95.01 and W95.02 at Felling on F32.05, F32.06, F32.23 and F32.24 and in the Regimental Roll of Honour page 121
