Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Frank Thompson was born in Denwick, near Alnwick, Northumberland in 1882. His father was Robert Thompson.  He worked as a labourer, until enlisting with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Berwick on 8 January 1900, at the age of 18 years and 9 months. He had fair hair and blue eyes, was 5ft 4 ½ ins tall and had a brown mole on his front right shoulder.

He served in South Africa from 31 May 1900 to 16 Feb 1903 and was awarded the Queen’s South African Medal with 3 clasps and the King’s South African Medal with 2 clasps. He passed his professional exams and was promoted to Sergeant on 24 November 1902. He was discharged from the service at his own request on 9 April 1903, on payment of £18-0-0.

Frank passed through Peterborough East Railway Station on 2 November 1916 and wrote in the visitors’ book:

“Some. Scotch.
In a Military Hospital somewhere in France a Scotty was lying wounded, a sister going out, asked the patients if they required anything bringing and the Scotty asked for some Whisky and the sister said it was impossible to bring any drinks in so the Scot on being a bit witty said “Well Sister have it frozen and I will bite it”

No further records have been located for Frank Thompson. Do you recognise this soldier?  Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Frank.