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William Craig Thompson Son of Alfred Thompson, and Maggie J. (nee Crang) Royal Flying Corps, Died; Oct. 16, 1917 Buried; Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose Scotland |
Woodstock Sentinel Review
October 1917
Alfred Thompson, Given Street, (Woodstock Ontario) received a cablegram from Montrose, Scotland, informing him that his son, Lieut. William Craig Thompson, was killed yesterday morning as the result of an aeroplane accident.
Lieut. Wm. Thompson was well
known in this city, where he had many friends, especially among the younger
people. He was the eldest son of Alfred Thompson, and was born in East
Zorra twenty-three years ago. Five years ago he came to Woodstock and
before enlisting he was employed with Moore & Doherty, clothiers,
Dundas street. At that time the 71st battalion was about to be organized,
he went to London and took a lieutenancy course. He received an appointment
in the 71st Battalion and went overseas in the spring of 1916 as a lieutenant
in “A” Company.
After going to France he went through several stiff engagements before
he was wounded at the battle of Coureelette on the Somme front on October
25th, 1916. He was severely wounded, being shot through the leg just below
the knee, and was sent to England. About the middle of December he received
permission to return to his home here. Lieut. Thompson was once more called
to England in the early spring. He was attached to the 18th Reserves and
later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. About four weeks ago he was
sent to aviation school at Montrose Scotland.
In a letter to his father last week he stated that he expected to receive his wings in about four weeks. That would bring the date about up to the time of his death.
“Lieut. Thompson’s
only brother is at present in France. He is attached to the Canadian Light
Infantry., and although he has been in France just a year now, and went
through some hard exchanges he has so for been fortunate enough to escape
the Hun bullets.”
Montrose Review
October 19, 1917
Aviator killed.
Lieutenant William Crang Thompson, Royal Flying Corps,
was killed while flying at Montrose on Tuesday morning. He was in the
act of ascending, and when quite a short distance up the aeroplane node-dived
and crashed on the Charleton Road at Wards of Charleton. Mr W.T. Stormont,
who witnessed the accident, hurried to the spot, but found the aviator
dead. The machine was a total wreck. Lieut. Thompson, who was 24 years
of age, was born at Nissouri, Canada, and was a son of Mr Alfred Thompson,
Woodstock, Ontario.
October 26, 1917
Military funeral.
Military honours were accorded the funeral on Friday
to Sleepyhillock Cemetery of Lieutenant William Crang Thompson, 44th Canadians,
attached to the Royal Flying Corps, who was killed at Montrose on Tuesday.
Colonel the Rev. A. J. Campbell, Senior Chaplain, Tay Defences, and the
Rev. M. Cunningham Wilson, Hillside, Chaplain to the Presbyterian troops
officiated, and the band of the R.G.A., Broughty Ferry, and the T.R.B.
Pipe Band, along with officers and men from the deceased’s squadron
and the T.R.B., took part in the obsequies. The coffin, covered with a
Union Jack, was borne to the cemetery on a car, and at the graveside three
volleys fired and the “Last Post” sounded.
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Masonic Application October 11, 1915 Age 21 / Occupation, Soldier Ballot passed, November 8, 1915 Initiated, December 6, 1915 Passed January 10, 1916 Raised February 10, 1916 |
Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose Scotland.
Photos & docs courtesy of Bro. Ricki Benka, Lodge Montrose Kilwinning #182, Montrose Scotland.
We are sincerely thankful for his unselfish efforts.