9/223 Corporal Arthur John Thomson, (1/9/1885-3/6/1915). "He did his duty"

Little detail can be found of the life and death of Arthur Thomson, except for a few brief but telling notes in his Army record.  

He had served in his local unit, the Clutha Mounted Rifles, and enlisted in August, 1914 in the Otago Mounted Rifles. He was a shepherd from the Balclutha area and he died on board the Hospital Ship "Gascon" of a gunshot wound which caused a compound fracture of his skull.  His unit was not engaged in a significant operation on the day of his wounding, May 30th, so it is possible that he was wounded by a sniper.

He would have been buried at sea from the ship.  He was unmarried.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

IN MEMORIAM. 

THOMSON. — In loving memory of Corporal Arthur John Thomson (Main Body), who died on June 3, 1915, on the Hospital Ship Gascon, from wounds received while in action at the Dardanelles.

He did his duty. 

— Inserted by his sister and brother-in-law.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/6/1917.

Balclutha Cemetery.