No.71749, Private, Frederick Ernest THOMPSON
Aged 28
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Frederick Ernest Thompson was born in Brandon in 1889 (Thetford Q1-1889 4B:372) son of Frederick and Ellen THOMPSON (née ROYAL). 1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Town Street, Brandon with his father Frederick THOMPSON [28] bricklayer; his mother Ellen [32]; sisters Mabel [7], Beatrice [5], Annie [3] and Maud [4 months]. All were born in Brandon. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Town Street, Brandon with his parents, sisters Mabel, Beatrice, Annie, Maud and Florence [6 months] and brother Herbert [6]. He married Beatrice Eliza Zipfel in Q3-1909. 1911 census...Aged 22, a railway labourer, he was at The Terrace, Town Street, Brandon with his wife Beatrice Eliza [21] and their son Frederick Ernest [11 months]. They had lost one child. |
click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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He attested in Brandon. Starting his military life as Pte 18411 in the Norfolk Regiment, at some time he was transferred to the Border Regiment (no.23168)
and then to the Machine Gun Corps. CWGC have 51st Battalion but those battalion were not formed until later in the war, it must have been the 51st Company. The "Brandon at War " link above gives more, but as his Army service record is not available and I have not found the correct war diary, where he was wounded remains unknown. His headstone shown here is due to be replaced since the date is incorrect (19 February 1917). Thanks to the diligence of the webmaster from brandonatwar the CWGC have noted their earlier error and it will be corrected The local press carried the following report:- DIED OF WOUNDS- On Saturday, Mrs Thompson, of Thetford Road, received official news that her son,Private Frederick E.Thompson, Machine Gun Section, was wounded on Feb.11th, and died the following day. He was home on leave at Christmas for ten days, and on leaving again he remarked that his wife and relatives were not to worry about him, as he should be in England again in six weeks wounded, and he was wounded within that period. He was one who volunteered and joined Kitchener's Army. He leaves a young widow and three small children, and was 28 years last January.
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
