William Thompson

Early Life

William was the son of Joseph and Harriet Thompson of 4 Nova Scotia Street, Failsworth, Manchester. William was married to Emily. After William died Emily remarried and became Emily Bentley. She lived at 10 Wilton Street, Newton Heath, Manchester.

Service Life

Lance Corporal William Thompson (29617) enlisted in Manchester and served with ‘C’ Company of the 16th Battalion the Manchester Regiment. For his service in the army, William was awarded the Allied Victory Medal and British War Medal. In addition, William was awarded the Military Medal for his gallant actions during the attack on the Zillebeke Bund on 31 July 1917 (London Gazette: 28 September 1917). William’s medals can be seen in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

We Shall Remember Him

William was 27 years old when he was killed in action on 21 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France (Grave/Memorial Reference – Panel 64 to 67). His Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in the Ladysmith Gallery memorial cabinet drawer 5.