Photo: Dorothy Hall

DLI Book of Remembrance

Sunderland Royal Infirmary

18/1682 Private
S.C. Thompson
Durham Light Infantry
3rd August 1915

Stanley Carr Thompson was born in May, 1892 at Slingley Hill Farm, Seaham, Durham, the son of Ralph Thompson, [born Hawthorn, 1848], a Farm bailiff, and his wife Ann, 'Annie', nee Stevenson, Thompson, [born, Houghton-le-Spring, 1851], they had fourteen children. Three sadly died. They were married in October 1870.

In 1871 they were residing at Painshaw [Penshaw].

Ralph Thompson was a Banksman, [he was the son of John Thompson, born 1800, died 1879, and Ann Thompson, born 1825, died 1899].

By 1881, they were at Middle Ford Farm, No 1, Hylton, consisting of 73 acres, with seven children. Margaret, Jane, Hannah, William, John William, Ada and Ralph.

By 1891, they had moved to Slingley Hill Farm, Seaham, Durham.

In 1901 there are now eight children listed in the Census still at home.

The fourteen children were Margaret, born Sunderland, October, 1872, Jane, born April 1873, Hannah, born 1875, William, born 1876, John William, born September 1877, Ada, born 1879, Ralph, born 1880, Charles, born 1881, Joseph, born Hylton, 1884, Andrew, born 1886, Robert, born 1887, Ernest, born 1889, Stanley Carr, born 1892 and May, born 1895.

In 1911 Stanley Carr was working with his brother Robert Thompson on his father's Slingley Hill Farm.

He was a parishioner at Seaham St Mary's Church and was the first to die from this church.

Stanley enlisted at Cocken Hall on the 19th July 1915, age was 23 years and 2 months, his trade was a farmer and was unmarried. Service number 18/1682. Stanley was 5 feet 8 and a quarter inches high.

His service record was actually witnessed and signed by Major F.T. Tristram, the man responsible by letter in raising the 18th Battalion, in September 1914.

His service record states that "A telephone message was received prior to this man's death that he had been taken ill in the streets of Sunderland and the police Sergeant notified by ???? dated 3rd August that "Stanley C. Thompson No 1682 died this morning in Sunderland Infirmary after going through an operation for Appendicitis. He also had pneumonia as well." The Police Authorities informed the next of kin of his death and his brother and sister came to Cocken Hall on the 4th inst. to make arrangements for the funeral. Army Form B2090 will be forwarded to the Paymaster."Dated 6th August 1915.

According to the UK Army registers of Soldier Effects he was in the 21st Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

His personal effects letter states the 21st Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

He was in the Army less than 16 days. His memorial Scroll and plaque were sent to his sister Ada [married name Davidson], and was residing at High Farm, Ryhope Village, Sunderland.

Stanley left £157 18s in his will to Robert Thompson, Farmer. [His brother].

Stanley did not receive any Medals.

Farm Bailiff. Made sure a tenant farmer ran the farm properly and was paying the rent on time. If not the bailiff had the authority to evict.

Stanley Carr Thompson is remembered at Seaham on S117.11 and at Durham in D47.013c

History of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry in WW1
The CWGC entry for Private Thompson