James Albert Raymond Thomson (c.1876-1918)

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An ongoing project to commemorate and research the lives of those who appear on war memorials and rolls of honour in the local area, who served in the military, or whose deaths were linked to conflict.
James Albert Raymond Thomson

Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922

The following extract is from Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922 (2014) by J. Margaret Stansfield:

THOMSON, JAMES ALBERT RAYMOND, DSO. Lieutenant-Colonel. 5th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. Croix-de-Guerre (French). Born Huddersfield. Son of the late James and Eliza Thomson. Husband of Ethel Norah Mayson Thomson of The Uplands, Malton, Yorkshire. Prior to the outbreak of the war was a partner in the firm of Messrs W. Metcalfe and Sons, millers, Malton. Was a member of the local Territorials before the war. Embarked for France in April, 1915. Was wounded on three occasions. Awarded the DSO in 1918. Killed in action at Craonne, France, on 27.5.1918, aged 42 years. Buried VENDRESSE BRITISH CEMETERY. Grave location:- Plot 2, Row A, Grave 2.
The following citation is from the London Gazette, dated 16.9.1918, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout ten days fighting this Officer had rendered splendid service, inspiring the Brigade by his example of cheerfulness and leadership. When the enemy captured a village he established his Battalion on some high ground above it, holding on from 9am to 5pm although his right was in the air and he had neither orders or information. On a later occasion after encouraging his men throughout a day of intense shelling, he led a counter-attack in the evening to cover the withdrawal of another division. This was successful, as was also his rearguard action afterwards.'
The following extract is taken from Volume 3 - 1918.- of the Official History of the Great War (Page 52), 'From his headquarters at Craonne, Lieutenant Colonel J. A. R Thomson (5th Green Howards) saw enemy troopson the southernedge of the Californie Plateau about 6am and, with his headquarters and the reserve Company of the 4th East Yorkshires, made a gallant attempt to dislodge them by counter-attack: but the ascent was steep and the effort failed with heavy casualties. A Company of the 4th Green Howards, the reserve battalion near La Hutte, about a mile south of Craonne, tried, by Brigadier-General Rees's orders, to join in this counter-attack, but was swept away by the terrific fire falling near La Hutte. A buried cable communicating with the 5th Green Howards being intact, Brigadier-General Rees ordered the survivors of the counter-attack to fight their way out but few succeeded in doing so, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomson being among the killed.'
ROH:- commemorated in a memorial window at St. Leonard's Church, Malton; Sledmere War Memorial.

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