Thomson William Pte 4457097
Personnel Entry
Name Thomson William
Army number 4457097
Rank Pte
Decorations
Date of birth 1918
Age 22
Unit Durham Light Infantry, T, no enlistment date - but probably September/October 1939. Posted 11th Bn DLI. BEF. Listed MISSING 20/6/1940. Now known to have DIED of WOUNDS 21/5/40.
Company/Battery
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role
Joined Brigade
Promotions
Wounded
Prisoner of War
Died/Killed in action 21-May-40
Home address Son of William and Margaret Thomson, Deptford, Sunderland. Buried Fosseux Communal Cemetery.
Source table 11DLI
The villagers of FOSSEUX, who have helped to tend the grave of Private THOMSON - the only Commonwealth War Grave in this particular cemetery, held a local exhibition to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2015, and took the opportunity to honour his memory at the same time. Celebrated French historian Andre Coilliott - who lives not far from the village, was invited to take part in the ceremonies and gave a talk on the battles which took place in the area, which are the subject of his published works.
A villager who was an eye-witness in 1940 stated that Private THOMSON had been seeking cover on the edge of the village when he was wounded by machine-gun fire from what was probably a reconnaissance motorcycle combination driving to the village from the direction of Guoy. He died from his wounds shortly afterwards, but did express the wish to be buried where he fell. CWGC have confirmed that, having been interred in the local cemetery, his remains were not relocated to one of the consolidated cemeteries, and so he remains as the only casualty to rest in that local cemetery.
Our attempts to trace any relatives of Private THOMSON - so that the villagers could invite them to take part in the ceremonies, were unfortunately unsuccessful. His parents apparently had no other children.
A series of photographs from the day are set out below - for which thanks are due to Mde Regine Verguier, and sincere appreciation for the work of Regine and her neighbours in the village is hereby expressed.
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