Rifleman Joseph James Thompson
| Date of Birth | c. 1896 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 03/09/1916 |
| Service Number | C/3608 |
| Military Service | 17th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles Corps |
| Merton Address | 148 Church Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Joseph James Thompson was born to parents James, a general labourer and Ada nee Sharp who married at The Parish Church Mitcham on 18th September 1892. James lived at number 28 Tramway Terrace whilst Ada and her family lived at number 23. After marrying, the couple moved in with Ada’s parents.
Their first child, Alice, was born in 1895, and Joseph was born in the Autumn of the following year. He was baptised at St Peter and St. Paul Parish Church in Mitcham on 6th November 1896.
By 1901 Joseph had two further siblings: Annie and Pretoria and the family were still living at 23 Tramway Terrace. By 1905 the family address was listed as 12 Prussia Place.
In 1911 Joseph was now aged 14 and working as a Van Boy for a Tea Merchant. His family had moved to 25 Keans Terrace, Church Road in Mitcham. During the previous 10 years three further children had been born to his parents: Sarah, John and Ada. Josephs parents had been married for 19 years and had 8 children of which one had died.
on 1st June 1915 Joseph enlisted in Battersea, joining C Company 17 Battalion: Kings Royal Rifle Corps as a rifleman and given the service number C/3608. He said he was aged 19 and 268 days. (Making him eligible to travel overseas.) He was in fact 18 years of age.
After Joseph had enlisted in Battersea he was sent a letter: requesting him to attend at 9.30am on the 3rd June 1916 at Wilsons Grammar School, Peckham Road Camberwell for the purpose of appearing before a Justice to be attested for His Majesty’s Army, in which he had expressed his willingness to serve. He was living at 148 Church Road, in Mitcham, and his occupation was listed as a Labourer. He was described as 5ft 8 inches tall, weighed 119 lbs and had a chest measurement of 36 inches.
Joseph was posted to France on 7th March 1916 landing the following day at Le Havre.
Joseph was killed in Action when his regiment was involved in an attack north of Ancre on the 3rd of September 1916. He was aged 19. During Joseph’s short service of just 1 year and 96 days he was promoted to Sergeant.
His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial and his name is commemorated at Ancre British Cemetery Beaumont, Hamel, Somme in France. He is also mentioned on the Roll of Honour for the Kings Royal Rifle corps