Second Lieutenant Robert Kirk Thompson

 

 

Robert Kirk Thompson was born on 2 August 1891 in Movilla Street, Newtownards, County Down, the second of nine children of baker William Thompson and his wife Agnes (née Cairns). Educated at the John White Memorial National School in Belfast, at the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 3 Dewey Street, Shankill, with his parents and six of his seven surviving siblings, and working as a commercial clerk in the linen business.

Thompson enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Belfast on 2 November 1914 (No. UD/73). He was immediately promoted to the rank of corporal. On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

On 18 February 1916 he was promoted to sergeant.

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 41375 and posted to B Company.

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

On 1 January 1918 Thompson fell ill with ICT (inflammation of the connecting tissue) of the left foot. The condition was assessed as 'severe' and he was admitted to the No.3 Australian General Hospital at Abbeville. It was not until 22 March that he was well enough to be transferred to a convalescent depot at Cayeux. He rejoined his battalion in the field on 22 April.

Two days later he applied for a commission, expressing a preference for the 3rd Hussars or the Irish Fusiliers. He embarked for officer training in England on 27 June 1918, reporting for duty at No.5 Officer Cadet Battalion at Cambridge on 4 October. On 12 December he was transferred to No.13 OCB at Newmarket, and on 22 January 1919 to No.11 OCB at Pirbright.

Thompson was demobilised on 3 February 1919. In recognition of the training completed, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on 8 March, posted to the General List, then demobilised on 28 April.

In 1919 Thompson emigrated to the USA, via Canada. He married Frances Brooks in Bristol, Connecticut on 6 August 1928. He died there on 16 December 1949.

 

Image sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees – contributor 'AlanMcdade'.

 

This page last updated 19 February 2023.