George William Thompson
Name: George William Thompson
1900 - 5th November 1918
Place of Birth: Arlesey
Occupation: Farm Labourer
Division: 4th Battalion
Regiment: Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
Rank: Private
Buried: South side of new part, Arlesey (St. Peter) Churchyard, Arlesey,England
Person(s) placing the cross on behalf of the Arlesey Remembers You Project: Olivia Saunders
George was born in Arlesey in 1900, the son of John Samuel and Lilla Thompson, he had a younger sister called Ivy May. The family lived with John’s parents George and Phoebe, on the High Street, Arlesey. John was a bricklayer and George was a farm labourer.
George signed up to the Army in September 1918, and only 9 weeks later, on November 4th, John and Lilla received a telegram that had them hurrying off to Tonbridge in Kent, where they found George dangerously ill with congestion of the lungs. George lingered on until Tuesday morning when he sadly passed away at about 10am.
George’s body was brought home to Arlesey on November 8th, from Quarry Hill Hospital, Tonbridge, Kent and the funeral took place on November 9th at St Peter’s Church, Arlesey. His coffin was inscribed “Pte G. W. Thompson, 36715, 4th Buffs, died November 5th 1918, aged 18 years. Among the floral tributes was one “With deep sympathy from the Officers and NCO.s and men of the 4th Reserves, the Buffs”.
George is remembered with honour at Arlesey (St Peter’s) Churchyard.