Born on 9 May 1887 in Quebec, Quebec – son of George H. Thomson, Quebec, Quebec – at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as lawyer; single; currently a member of the 8th Regiment (four months); no previous military service; Church of England; height of 5 feet 9.5 inches; chest of 37 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; brown eyes; light brown hair.
Joined the 87th Battalion, CEF, in Montreal, Quebec, on 21 September 1915 – attached to the 12th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, CEF, on 13 or 14 July 1916 – taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in England on 14 July 1916 as a lieutenant – landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 – attached to the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, CEF, on 12 March 1917 – seconded as staff captain with the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade from 21 December 1918 to 26 April 1919 – promoted to captain after leaving the 38th Battalion.
Awarded the Military Cross – official citation: “Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty’s Birthday. No citation.” – unit recommendation date unknown: “For gallantry and devotion to duty.”
Awarded a Mention in Despatches – no official citation – no unit recommendation text.
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, “Debt of Honour” register, www.cwgc.org; Canadian War Museum, 19680229-001, Manu 58C 1 2.18, Honours and Awards, 38th Battalion (Records of recommendations for honours and awards and mentioned in dispatches 19161121 19190117))
5 comments:
He was my grandfather. Thank-you for posting. You can also read his Field Diary here:
http://users.eastlink.ca/~ww1diary/
I am Topanga’ s sister. And granddaughter of” Pop” as we called him. He also served in WW11 becoming a POW in Hong Kong . You can find his complete diary during his internment on https://www.hkvca.ca/galleries/Gallery/Individuals/thomson/index.htm. Not to be copied until permission given as I dont want anyone to feel they can use it for other purposes other than research.
I am taking a WWI university course and found your grandfather's War Diary. I found it fascinating and greatly enlightening. I have chosen to do a mini-biography presentation on him and am wondering if you have any additional information on his life before or after his military service. I can be emailed at: mfreas@wtamu.edu and maryfreas77@gmail.com
Thank you.
I am a student at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, and am doing a mini-biography of Lt. ACM Thomson for a WWI class.
I saw Lt. Thomson’s name and his WWI Field Diary and was fascinated by his lifetime of service, which is why I chose him for mini-biography presentation.
Could you provide me with any information on his life before and after his military service, including the time period between WWI and WWII for my presentation?
Thank you for any help you can give me,
Mary Freas
I’ll send your message to my sister and cousin who may have more info to help you out.
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