Private 13248 Alfred Thompson

Grave photograph courtesy of John White.

Died of Wounds on Wednesday, 22nd September 1915, age 25.
Buried in Grave I. H. 3. at Le Treport Military Cemetery, Seine-Maritime, France.

'D' Company of 8th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 51st Brigade of 17th Division.

Husband of Mrs Evelyn May Thompson. Son of William Thompson, of 5 Park Terrace, Park Estate, Tipton.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 14th July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/117205/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Alfred Thompson registered March Quarter 1891 in Dudley.

1901 Census
Park Lane East, Tipton, Staffs.
William Thompson (42, Iron Moulder, born London), his wife Harriet (38, born Derby), and their 5 children: Winifred (19, born Derby), John (17, Iron Moulder, born Derby), Alfred (10, born Tipton), Leonard (8, born Tipton), and Ellen (6, born Tipton).

1911 Census
43 Martin Road, Tipton, Staffs.
William Thompson (52, Widower, Iron Moulder, born Isle of Dogs), and his 3 children: Alfred (20, Iron Moulder, born Tipton), Leonard (18, General Fitter, born Tipton), and Ellen (16, born Tipton).

Marriage of Alfred Thompson and Evelyn M. Cash registered December Quarter 1914 in Dudley.

Personal Data

After Alfred's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £2/6/2d (2 pounds, 6 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his widow, Evelyn May Thompson, in November 1915. His War Gratuity was £3/10/0d (3 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his widow, Evelyn May, in July 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Alfred had enlisted in approximately September 1914.

Alfred's widow, Evelyn May, was awarded a Widow's Pension of £0/10/d (10 shillings) per week, effective from 3rd April 1916..

Action resulting in his death

The 8th South Staffs were in the line near Voormezeele, about 2 miles south of Ypres during September 1915. Conditions were appalling with trenches underwater, but casualties were comparitively light.

Alfred would have been wounded here, and evacuated back through the Casualty Clearing system to Le Treport where numerous hospitals were situated. Alfred died here from his wounds, and is buried in the Le Treport Military Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.