---

 

Private Herbert Halsall Thompson

 

Herbert Halsall (Bertie) Thompson was born on 9 March 1893 at 4 Kildare Street, Newry, County Down, the last of nine children of merchant (later farmer and land agent, then secretary of the Carlingford Lough Commission) James Thompson and his wife Elizabeth (née Sloan). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Crieve House, Newry, with his parents, two brothers and another relative, and working as an apprentice in the timber trade.

Thompson enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Newry on 3 September 1914 (No.1126). He gave his occupation as 'farmer'.

It was soon discovered, however, that he suffered from epileptic fits and on 28 October 1914 he was discharged as physically unfit for military service (paragraph 154(xi), Special Reserve Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'very good'.

After the war Thompson worked as a petrol salesman. He died at his home, Church Avenue, Newry, on 7 October 1940.