Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
17774   Private Robert Thompson
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 108th Company, Machine Gun Corps (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 13/08/1895
Died: 02/07/1916 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 20
Summary      
Robert Thompson was the son of Thomas and Matilda Thompson. He was born in Magherafelt on 13th August 1895. He was the second of three sons. After Magherafelt went on to live in Kildress, Cookstown and Killinchy in County Down. Robert James Thompson enlisted in Downpatrick and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps. Private Robert Thompson was seriously wounded on the first day of the Somme offensive. He died of his wounds the following day on Sunday 2nd July 1916.
Further Information
Robert Thompson was the son of Thomas and Matilda Thompson. Thomas Thompson and Matilda McKee were married on 23rd March 1893 in the district of Magherafelt.
According to GRONI, Robert was born in Magherafelt on 13th August 1895. He was the second of three sons.
Family: Thomas Thompson, Matilda Thompson, John Thompson (born 4th January 1894, Magherafelt), Robert Thompson (born 13th August 1895, Magherafelt), William Thompson (born 31st May 1898, Cookstown).
The 1901 census does not list Robert as living with family at Drumshanbo Glebe, Killeenan, County Tyrone. He would have been around 6 years old. Thomas was a coachman.
The 1901 census lists Robert James as age 5, living with his grandparents at house 25 in Killinchy, County Down. His birthplace is given as Derry.
The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with family in Killinchy, County Down. His father was still working as a coachman.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 15, living with his grandparents at house 29 in Killinchy. Robert was a farm labourer. His birthplace is given as County Derry.
Robert James Thompson enlisted in Downpatrick and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (No. 18823).
Medal card
Private Thompson later transferred to the 108th Company Machine Gun Corps (No. 17774).
Private Robert Thompson was seriously wounded on the first day of the Somme offensive and was taken to a field ambulance at Warloy Baillon.
Private Robert Thompson died of his wounds the following day on Sunday 2nd July 1916. He was twenty years old.
In his will James left all to his mother.
Last Will and Testament of Private Robert Thompson dated 2nd October 1915:
Robert Thompson : Handwritten Will
Robert Thompson : Will Information
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs T Thompson, Church Quarter, Dundonald, Belfast, County Down, Ireland. Signed by me at Bordon, Hampshire on 2nd October 1915. 18823 Rifleman R Thompson, A Company, 13th Battalion R.I.R attached to Headquarters 108 Brigade.
Private Thompson was interred in Warloy Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
The grave inscription reads: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Private Robert Thompson is commemorated on the Killinchy Parish Church of Ireland WW1 Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Private Robert Thompson as the son of the late Thomas and Matilda Thompson of Dundonald, County Down.
There is no evidence to suggest Robert Thompson ever lived in the Cookstown area.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Drumshanbo Glebe, Killeenan Kildress-Tullagh Census listing in Drumshanbo Glebe 54.652527 -6.872227
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Robert Thompson Lists Robert James as age 5 living with his grandparents at house 25 in Killinchy, Down
2 1901 Census lists Thompson family 1901 Census does not list Robert as living with family at Drumshanbo Glebe, Killeenan, Tyrone
3 1911 Census lists Robert Thompson Lists Robert as age 15 living with his grandparents at house 29 in Killinchy, Down
4 1911 Census lists Thompson family 1911 Census does not list Robert as living with family in Killinchy, Down
5 Barry Niblock - North Down & Ards Details of Private Robert Thompson
6 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Robert Thompson's grave
7 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Robert Thompson
8 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
9 Soldiers Died in the Great War Details of Private Robert Thompson
10 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Robert Thompson's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023