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Medal Index Card

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Northallerton All Saints Church SGW

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 11/04/1916

Charles John McKinnon Thompson was born the 10th January 1893, at Tudhoe Durham, the second son of the Reverend Samuel McKinnon Thompson, Vicar of Northallerton, York, and his wife Edith Rose, daughter of the Venerable Edward Prest, Archdeacon and Canon of Durham.

In 1901, the family were residing at the Vicarage at Northallerton, the other son was absent from this address.

Charles was educated at the Abbey, Beckenham, then Haileybury College, entered Thomason House January 1907 – left March, he was a Prefect. Then Armstrong College and Durham University, where he was a member of the Officer's Training Corps as a Cadet Corporal.

In addition, he had Tutors at Tours, Hanover and Lausanne. He was studying for a degree in Civil Engineering.

Charles was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers 18th April 1914. Promoted Lieutenant on the 12th August 1914, he served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 29th September 1914.

Charles also acted as assistant Town Major at Bailleul from March 1915-16. Charles was an accomplished linguist. He then was recalled to his regiment 15th March 1916.

He died 27th March 1916, at the Battle of St Eloi, of his wounds received earlier in the day, from a shell when he was in the German second line of Trenches.

He was buried in the battlefield. His Commanding Officer later wrote:- At the time of his death he was heading his men gallantly to victory. He was a capable and brave soldier.

Charles was not married.

The photograph is from a group photo of the Thomason House about February 1909. With thanks to Haileybury College. Copyright belongs to Haileybury College

Charles John McKinnon Thompson is remembered at Alnwick in A11.43 page 6, at Newcastle on NUT263 and at Durham in D47.151

He is also remembered at Northallerton on a Stained Glass Window in All Saints Church. See above photo.

Haileybury College Roll of Honour
Northumberland Fusiliers WW1
Film of 1st Battalion N/Land Fusiliers at St Eloi 27/03/16
Universities at War .
The CWGC entry for Lieutenant Thompson