Gateshead Roll of Honour Volume 2 N to Z
Medal Index Card
Newcastle Journal Wednesday 16/02/1916
Newcastle Journal Friday 11/02/1916
Robert James Thompson was born on the 9th December 1891, at 36 Bentine Street, Gateshead, Durham, the third son of George Thompson, Labourer, and his wife Margaret, daughter of the late Edward Howe. They had six children 3 sons and 3 daughters.
Robert was educated at the Lady Verner's School in Bensham. He was employed as a Miner. Robert enlisted on the 31st August 1914, at Gateshead, [service record states the 7th September 1914], and on his medical form, he is described as 5 feet 5 and a half inch tall, Fresh complexion, Grey Eyes and Brown Hair, weighing 129lbs. Age 22 years, 250 days.
Robert was enlisted into the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, and whilst training at Aldershot Barracks, he overstayed his leave pass till 8pm on the 26th December 1914, he was forfeited a days pay, and admonished extra fatigue Duties.
[In August and September 1914 the Regimental Depot of the Durham Light Infantry at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle was overwhelmed by the number of men enlisting. Accommodation was tight so the men were formed into batches and sent off to training grounds in the south of England. Over 2,000 men were sent to Bulllswater near Woking in Surrey where they became the 12th and 13th Battalions of the DLI serving in 68 Brigade of the 23rd Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Sir James Babington KCB KCMG. The Division never failed to take an objective between 1915 and 1918. After initial training around Aldershot and Ashford, in May they embarked for France on 25 August 1915].
By 1911 his family had moved to 170 St Cuthberts Road, Gateshead, Durham. From the 25th August 1915 he was with the British Expeditionary Force serving in 'B' Company.
Robert was killed along with 4 other men by a German high explosive shell that dropped right on the roof of the dugout that he was resting in, on the 26th August 1916. He was unmarried.
His Company Commander Captain J. P. Day [who had given Robert his punishment for overstaying his pass], later wrote:- "He was resting in a dug-out when a German high-explosive shell came over and dropped right on top of the roof. Four other men were with him, and all were killed instantaneously. Your son was a good soldier, he had won everybody's respect, he had been selected for the important and often dangerous work of Cyclist Orderly at Battalion Headquarters."
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
Footnote:
The other 4 men who were killed with him were 19690, Private E. J. A. Lane, 21205, Private Daniel Blaylock, from Tantobie, Durham, 18671, Private George Harkness, and 18509, Private Ernest Hunter, from Leadgate, Durham.
He is remembered at Gateshead on G39.044 and G39.004 page 83 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 13
