No.265138, Corporal, Reginald Walter TOMPSON
Aged 28
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Born at 41 Corn Market Street, Oxford (1st qtr 1890 Oxford 3a:844) son of Walter and Lucy TOMPSON (née GRAINGER). Baptised in St Michael's Oxford on 5th February
1891 census...Aged 1, he was at 41 Corn Market Street, Oxford with his father Walter TMPSN [33] fancy draper, born Bury St.Edmunds and his mother Lucy [29] born Oxford. 1901 census...Aged 11, he was at 15 Thames Street, Clewer Within, Berks with his parents and sister Muriel L [4] born Oxford. 1911 census...Aged 21 assisting in business, he was at 1 Church Walk, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents (father now coal and corn merchant); sister Muriel |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The battalion had only recently arrived in Albert. When the German Spring Offensive (The Kaiserschlacht) began, on the 21st March, there was confusion everywhere and the 7th Suffolks were moved from Estaires to Albert. The three days, 25th 26th and 27th saw the battalion very heavily involved in trying to hold the Germans. They fought on steadily despite lack of supplies, no artillery support, few bombs, no trench mortars and having many fresh troops recently arrived from training For some time they held on to the railway line, but eventually had to pull back. One platoon was down to 3 men. In all over 250 casualties were suffered.before they were relieved on 28th
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