49488 Private William Thompson, 1876-13/1/1918.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin
"Greater love hath no man than this: that he lays down his life for his friends."

William "Tommy" Thompson grew up in Roslyn, Dunedin, and worked as a cutter for Mr Stephens, a tailor in Cromwell.  He was described by the Cromwell Argus as "a fine young fellow and a favourite of all."

He arrived at Plymouth in September of 1917 with reinforcements for the 3rd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment.  On the night of January 2nd, 1918 the 3rd Battalion of the Otagos relieved the 1st Battalion in an area known as Cameron's Covert, next to a marshy area of the Paesschendaele region.  It being winter, the large bog was a perfect barrier from attack but the trenches were wet and muddy.

The Official History of the Regiment records "intermittent shelling" during the stint in the trenches and it might have been one of those shells that ended the life of William Thompson, a "fine young fellow."

A fine young fellow - Otago Witness photo.