Private John Dickson Thompson

 

John Dickson (or Dixon) Thompson was born on 8 June 1892 at Ballycarry, Templecorran, County Antrim, the second of two children of labourer Alexander Thompson and his wife Mary (née Todd). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Brackfield, Bondsglen, County Londonderry, with his parents, and working as a labourer. (His brother had died of tuberculosis just days earlier.)

Thompson enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 13 and 20 November 1914 (No. UD/160). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Just before leaving for France, on 21 September, he married Edith Hamilton at Cumber, County Londonderry.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Thompson, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Thompson was issued regimental number 41144.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.

Thompson was wounded in the spring of 1918, probably in the fighting near Kemmel Hill during early to mid-April. He rejoined his battalion later that year, and was wounded again during the Advance to Victory offensive, perhaps on 4 September in the attack near Wulverghem.

On 20 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

After the war he returned to Brackfield. In 1928 his wife was severely burned in a domestic accicent. The Northern Whig and Belfast Post of 31 July reported that:

Mrs. E. Thompson (30), Brackfield, Kilcoo, County Derry, has been admitted to Derry Infirmary suffering from severe burns to the back and left arm. She had been standing at a fire dressing her children when her clothes became alight. Her husband rushed to her aid and in extinguishing the flames both his hands were severely burned.

 

This page last updated 18 April 2023.