Newcastle Journal Tuesday 23rd October 1917

Solicitors Roll of Service Page 547 entry

CWGC Cemetery

William Robinson Ketchen Thomson was born on the 3rd June 1886 at Elie, Fife, Scotland, the eldest son of the late John Francis Thomson, [15 Walker Terrace, Gateshead], M.D., and his wife Margaret Isabella, [6 Northumberland Terrace, Tynemouth], only daughter of the late William Robinson Ketchen, a Solicitor.

William Robinson Ketchen Thomson was educated at the Edinburgh Institition and Newcastle Modern School. He was admitted as a Solicitor in January 1909, and practised at Gateshead, also figured prominently in the public life of Gateshead.

He married at the Brighton Road Presbyterian Church, at Gateshead on the 20th June 1913, Lillian, the youngest daughter of the late Richard Tinn, and were residing at 174 Whitehall Road, Gateshead, Durham.

William also was a member of the V.T.C., and took an active part in the early days of the war. He became a officer cadet on the 8th November 1916.

He obtained a commission and was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 2nd April 1917. Sent to France and Flanders on the 16th July 1917.

The 23rd Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 23rd Division in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, they moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe in Kent then moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 15th of September 1915, joining No. 1 Group in I Corps. In November 1915 they then were transferred to XXII HA Brigade. On the 15th September 1915, 23rd Heavy Battery proceed to France 23rd Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France.

William was killed in action near Ypres on the 16th October 1917. He was buried in Dickebusche Cemetery.

In his will dated 28th March, he left effects of £463 0s 6d to his widow Lillian Hannah Thomson.

De Ruvignys Roll of Honour

He is remembered in Gateshead on G39.080

He is also remembered in the Solicitors Record of Service on page 547

General History of the R. G. A.
Royal Garrison Artillery Batteries
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Thomson