Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery
Born: October 24th 1888
Died: October 3rd 1917
Age at Death: 28
Died of Wounds, France, October 3rd 1917.
Son of Rev. George Thompson. Brother to Arthur G.J. Thompson.
Trinity College, Cambridge, (scholar).
Latin Lecturer, Cardiff College.
Grave reference Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvletern, Belgium.
Brighton War Memorial.
A donation to the memorial statue has been made in honour of this soldier by Roger and Enid Jones.
Obituary, Brightonian Vol XVI April 1918
F.C. Thompson, entered Hampden House September, 1901. He was always a keen soldier, being a member of the Shooting VIII from 1905 to 1907, and a Sergeant in the Cadet Corps. A Prefect, September 1915, Senior Sub-Librarian, and Editor of the Magazine, he proved himself thoroughly keen in every capacity. From the VI Form he gained an exhibition at Trinity College, Cambridge, and left Brighton College in March, 1907. He was placed in the 1st Division of the 1st Class in the Classical Tripos, and after taking his degree was appointed Latin Lecturer and tutor in Cardiff College of the University of Wales until he enlisted in January 1915. He was with his battery in Gallipoli, Egypt and France, seeing much active service. His Colonel writes: - "I cannot tell you how dreadfully sorry we are. I have known him personally ever since I took over the command of the brigade some twenty months ago. We all liked him immensely. He was a most hard-working and exceptionally conscientious officer, and has done a great deal of real good solid work for us. Only two days ago I sent in his name recommending him for the Military Cross. Please accept my very real sympathy in the loss of your splendid son."
Lieutenant Francis Clement Thompson
Francis Thomson was born on the 24th October 1888. He was the younger son and third child of the Rev. George Thomson and his wife Mary (née Butlin). After Windlesham House Thomson won a scholarship to the College where as well as being a librarian and editor of the school magazine he was a member of the shooting team, a Sargent in the OTC and School Prefect. After school he went up to Trinity College Cambridge where he gained a First in the Classical Tripos and then took a post as assistant Latin lecturer at the University of Wales, Cardiff.
When war broke out he joined the Inns of Court OTC and on April 8th 1915 received a commission in the Royal Field Artillery. He was posted to the 59th Brigade and served with them in Gallipoli and Egypt and then France, being promoted to Lieutenant on 3rd September 1917. His brigade was heavily involved in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and on 3rd October 1917 he was wounded in action near Ypres and died from his injuries at No 4 Casualty clearing station the following day.
His grave is in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvletern, Belgium.
Source: LEST WE FORGET PROJECT, Brighton College 2014/15