Name
Frank Dickinson Thompson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/01/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
15th (County of London) Bn., attd 17th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ESSEX FARM CEMETERY
III. A. 37.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
IN VIA RECTA CELERITER
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial (*1), Central Methodist Church Memorial, Letchworth (*1)
Pre War
Frank Dickinson Thompson was born in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire on 20 Feb1893, son of the Rev. John Moses Thompson, a Wesleyan Minister, and Elizabeth (nee Dickinson).
He was educated at Sir George Monoux Grammar School, Walthamstow and at Kingswood School, Bath.
Frank’s father died in 1894.
There were older children Margaret Elizabeth (born Negapatham, Madras, India, 1882), Edward John (born Hazel Grove, Cheshire, 1886).
On the 1901 Census Frank with brothers Alfred Thomas born Negapatam, India, 1888) Arthur Robert (born Trinchinopoly, India, 1891) and sister Ann Margaret (born Trinchinopoly, India,1889) were living with their mother (a teacher) at 28, Churchill Road, Walthamstow.
On the 1911 Census Frank (publisher’s clerk) together with brothers Alfred (a shop assistant), Arthur (insurance clerk) and sister Ann (art student) were living with his mother at 22 Green Lane, Letchworth.
His mother later lived at 355 Norton Way South, Letchworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Frank enlisted on 28 Sep 1915 joining the 1/28 (Count of London) Battalion (Artists Rifles) as Private 4664. He did not serve overseas being selected for Officer Training and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 1/15 Battalion (Prince of Wales’ Own Civil Service Rifles on 2 Jun 1916. Frank was attached to 17 (Service) Battalion (British Empire League) Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Frank went to France joining this last Battalion in 117 Brigade 39 Division and may have taken part in the Battles of the Somme (1916) at Thiepval (26-28 Sep), Ancre Heights (1 Oct 11 Nov) and Ancre (13-18 Nov).
Frank was killed in action on 13 Jan 1917 near Ypres (possible shellfire) and he is buried in Essex Farm cemetery, Ypres.
Additional Information
His effects were divided as : £19 16s 11d Mother, Alfred 7 8s 5d, Sub Lt Arthur Robert £7 8s 5d, Sisters Mrs Mary E Vines & Ann Mary Pilkington Rogers received £7 8s 5d each.
Brother Arthur Robert served in Royal Navy as Able Seaman Signaller from 12 Jan 1912, transferred to Royal Navy Air Service in 1914 (Photographic duties) and was commissioned as Sub Lt RNVR on 21 Apr 1917 serving in Mediterranean and discharged 12 Oct 1919.
*1 The F Thompson that appears on this memorial is believed to be this man. It is possible that he appears as E D Thompson on the Letchworth Town Memorial.Brother Arthur Robert served in Royal Navy as Able Seaman Signaller from 12 Jan 1912, transferred to Royal Navy Air Service in 1914(Photogrhic duties) and was commissioned as Sub Lt RNVR on 21 Apr 1917 serving in Mediterranean and discharged 12 Oct 1919.*1 The F Thompson that appears on this memorial is believed to be this man. It is possible that he appears as E D Thompson on the Letchworth Town Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
