---

 

Private James Thompson

 

James Thompson was born on 9 July 1900 at 41 Coolderry Street, Belfast, the fifth of nine children of carter James Thompson and his wife Margaret (née Dunbar). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Coolfin Street with his parents and his five surviving siblings. Soon after the family moved to nearby 25 Euterpe Street, off Donegall Road.

Thompson enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 29 August 1916 (No.2254). He gave his age as 18 years 345 days, though he was only sixteen, and his occupation as engine cleaner.

Just days later, however, his true age was discovered, and on 6 September he was discharged, 'having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment, soldier under 17 years of age at date of application for discharge' (paragraph 392(vi)(a), King's Regulations).