William Thompson Cpl British Army Commando 1916-1992

Hi

Not a lot to go on I'm afraid, but would there be any records for a William Thompson?

I have been told that he was in the Scottish Naval Commando's from 1939-44.

He appeared on the cover of a magazine (Time or Life possibly) escorting German P.O.W.'s off of a ship.

I don't know if he was Scottish, but after the War he married in Blyth, Northumberland and in the 1990's emigrated to British Columbia, Canada.

Thanks,

Darin (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).

 

I have found a bit more info - William was born in England on 12th May 1916.

His gravestone in St Margaret's Cemetery, Fernie, British columbia states Cpl. British Army Commando's.

So not Navy but can you help?

Thanks,

Darin.

 

Hi

We are trying to find anything about the above William Thompson.

His grave states he was a Corporal in the British Army Commando's.

We initially though Naval Commando, but his grave states army.

The story goes he captured a lot of German prisoners as they were playing cards.

Would he have received the Military Medal for this?

Anything that anybody can tell me about him would be much appreciated (Service Number, medals etc)

Thanks,

Darin.

 

Hi

There is another thread here
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/60165-william-thompson-naval-commando/

For info, Grave is here

http://image2.findagrave.com/photos/2013/360/120949469_138819505093.jpg


Regards,

Graeme

 

Hi

The other thread was mine when I thought he was in the Navy.

Can anybody tell me anything else?

Thanks,

Darin.

 

Hi Mazzie

Would this be the William Thompson you are looking for?

William Robert Thompson
BIRTH 30 JUL 1916 • Yarmouth, Norfolk
DEATH SEP 1992 • Norwich, Norfolk, England

TD

 

Ahaaa

I see there are 2 threads on the same man - confused

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/60165-william-thompson-naval-commando/

Can mods merge these 2 threads to avoid duplication please.

Now I see he was buried in Canada (?)

The guy I found in the post above was in the Royal Marines - who would be Naval

TD

 

It may be an idea to get a copy of his service records. They'll tell you all the units he was with during his military service.

 

It's a friends grandfather but we don't know his service number.

He was from Blyth in Northumberland.

I don't think my mate would want to spend any money for research, just anything we can find from your forums.

Would there be any mention of a military medal for capturing Germans?

Or anything else

Thanks.

 

Do you have a middle name for him, as there are many Thompsons from Northumberland and it might help to make a search smaller. Or can you find out the name of Williams wife.

Without his service records it is going to be very difficult to find anything about this person.

You say he was from Blyth, I assume you mean he was born there, it also appears from what you have said that he was married there as well.

TD

 

There was a Lance Bombardier William Thompson (Royal Artillery) that served with 4 Commando.

 

Hi - william didn't have a middle name.

He firstly married Evelyn Hogg in 1940 (we think Blyth).

She died in 1946 so he then married her sister Elsie Hogg in 1948, so throughout the duration of the War he was married to Evelyn.

I have found a William Thompson that won the Military Medal in (Published 3rd October 1944):-

Corporal 14254592 Trooper William Thompson, 3rd Caribiniers (Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards). royal Armoured Corps (Bentham, Nr. Lancaster).

I don't know if the Bentham refers to that regiments headquarters.

If the Bentham refers to his home town then it is the wrong one.

Also, no mention of a Corporal or a Commando, but could this have happened afterwards?

 

Guy,

Do you have any more details for this William Thompson (ie service number etc)?

Thanks,

Darin.

 

First marriage

Name: William Thompson
Spouse Surname: Hogg
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1940
Registration district: Northumberland Central
Inferred County: Northumberland
Volume Number: 10b
Page Number: 1106


Name: Evelyn Hogg
Spouse Surname: Thompson
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1940
Registration district: Northumberland Central
Inferred County: Northumberland
Volume Number: 10b
Page Number: 1106

Second marriage

Name: William Thompson
Spouse Surname: Hogg
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1948
Registration district: Northumberland Central
Inferred County: Northumberland
Volume Number: 1b
Page Number: 678


Name: Elsie Hogg
Spouse Surname: Thompson
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1948
Registration district: Northumberland Central
Inferred County: Northumberland
Volume Number: 1b
Page Number: 678

I understand that 'your mate' does not want to spend money but there is a chance that on the first marriage certificate - for which they will have to spend money - may contain info such as Regiment or even service number - it has happened before.

But in order to stop all this guesswork obtaining his service record as the primary source of his military record is vital, otherwise we could be here for a long time - it really is the best route if 'your mate' really wants to find out the information on his grandfather.


TD

 

877450 William THOMPSON joined the Royal Artillery in 1938. He then volunteered for service with Commandos. He appears to have served with 4, 6, and 9 Commando.

All of this can be confirmed by obtaining a copy of his service records.

Guy

 

Thanks Guy

Trawling the net I have also seen a W. Thompson attached to 10 Commando, so seems there are a few possibilities.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I'll tell 'my mate' what he needs to do.

 

There's a man with that name on the No.4 Nominal Roll - LBDR

My dad lived in Blyth from 1964 until he died.

 

Hi

What is LBDR?

Is this definitely my mates' grandfather, or still a possibility?

Is there any information attached to the details on the Nominal Roll.

Thanks,

Darin.