Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
James was the eldest child born to his parents John and Margaret (nee Naylor) at Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham on 4th January 1891 and was subsequently baptised a few weeks later on 1 February 1891. This made him only 3 months old at the time of the census. His father worked as a tailor/draper at that time. The family lived at Wilfred Street, Chester-le-Street.
In 1901 the family, now living at 24 Hilda Street Gateshead, had increased to include daughter Ellen and sons, William Valentine and John Joseph.
By 1911 census the family was growing up as James joined his father (miner stoneman) in the pit also as a stoneman, Ellen was a school teacher with Gateshead Council whilst William worked as a clerk. Once again the family moved 7 were living at 53 Cross Keys, Low Fell.
James married 30/10/1915 Eleanor Margaretta Cuthbertson at Hedgefield Co. Durham. James and Eleanor had two daughters - Eleanor born 14/07/1916 and Margaret born 13/10/1917.
He enlisted into the Army 27/06/1917 and was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps 26/10/1917. The Royal Air Force was formed on 1 April 1918 as an amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. When he enlisted James was a Coppersmith Manager and was 5 foot eleven and a half inches tall.He was in France from 04/01/1918.
He died on 4 March 1919 aged 28 years from Bronchial Pneumonia in the 21st Casualty Clearing Station.
His wife, Eleanor, living at 13 The Crescent Ryton at the time, added the following words to his headstone :- ‘Death divides but memory clings ever remembered by his loving wife and family’
His brother, William Valentine Thompson served and died in the Great War.
James Easton Thompson is remembered at Gateshead in G39.004 at Gateshead Fell on G39.064 and at Low Fell on L61.02 and L61.03
