RICHARD THOMPSON
It has not been possible to trace Richard Thompson's early years other than that he was born in Nantwich, Cheshire, probably in 1880.
The only definite sighting we have of him is at the 1911 census when he was living at 5 Russell Street, Southsea with his wife Rhoda whom he married in 1902 and their daughter Olive, born in 1903. At some point over the next few years they had a second child but he/she died. His occupation was listed as Police Constable.
We do not know when Richard Thompson was drafted into the army but as the CWGC record show that Richard was a Company Sergeant Major when he died in 1916 he must have previously served with the army as it's unlikely he could have attained that rank in such a short time otherwise. Nor do we know the circumstances of his death in October 1916, but as he was buried in Portsmouth it seems likely that he was wounded in action and transported back to the UK where he died.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) lists Company Serjeant Major Richard Thompson (19435), 15th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, died on 31/10/1916. Buried at Kingston Cemetery Portsmouth, Grave Ref: Besant's 5.12½. Husband of R. M. Waller (formerly Thompson), of 27, Milton Rd., Copnor, Portsmouth.
Richard Thompson is remembered on the WW1 Memorial at St. John's RC Cathedral and on the Cenotaph. He is not listed in the 'National Roll of the Great War'.
Tim Backhouse
April 2014