On the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, is the name of 201939 Private Henry Donnison Thompson, serving with the 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 01/07/1916.
He was the son of William Boston Thompson, of 3, Kings Road, Bedlington, and the late Elizabeth Thompson.
Eoin Gallagher has submitted the following:-
Henry “Harry” Donnison Thompson was born on the 12th January 1893 at Gateshead, Co Durham, to parents William Boston and Elizabeth Thompson, being christened on the 8th February at St. James’ Gateshead. By 1901 Henry and his family were living in the Felling area of Gateshead, his father, William was working as a Horse Keeper at the local colliery.
On the 1911 census, Henry aged 18, was working as a Pony Driver, below ground, his father was aged 41 and mother aged 38; his siblings, George aged 16, Robert aged 13, John aged 11, Septimus aged 8, Elizabeth aged 4 and Euphemia aged 2.
Henry enlisted in the 20th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, at Bedlington, on the 3rd November 1914, being allocated the service number 20/939, serving in ‘D’ Company. His father, William, enlisted in the Remounts and brother’s George and Robert, also served.
Whilst in Britain, Henry served as a Bugler for his unit.
Private Henry D Thompson was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 at La Boisselle, on the Somme, one of many Barrington men to be killed on the day. He is listed in the Thiepval Memorial and was aged 23 years.
Before enlistment, Henry was employed at Barrington Henry Pit.
Morpeth Herald 08/09/1916 carries the following:
Bugler H.D. Thompson, Barrington Colliery [sic], missing.
Morpeth Herald 02/02/1917 carries a brief obituary:
ROLL OF HONOUR
THOMPSON.- Officially reported killed in action on July 1st, 1916, Bugler Henry Donninson [sic] Thompson, eldest and beloved son of William and Elizabeth Thompson, of Barrington [sic]; also the eldest grandson of Henry and Elizabeth Donninson [sic], of Shieldfield; also George and the late Euphemia Thompson.
Henry Donnison Thompson is remembered at Bedlington on B15.06 and at Choppington on C36.01.
