William Craig Thompson

  
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.

  

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.