Grandad's First World War Experiences

Earlier I introduced you to my Great-Grandfather, William Thompson who I remember very well – we adored each other.

Lately I decided to look further into his time in the First World War. I knew the basics of the story from my family and that he had won a DCM. I am incredibly sentimental about such things and was incensed that it would appear my less sentimental Uncle had sold it. I do have his Cap badge though:

At the start of the First World War Grandad was just gone 15 and as such too young to sign up so he travelled from North Yorkshire to Staffordshire to sign up for the war after lying about his age, as many youngsters did.

That first night in barracks he was very homesick as the first meal served them was tripe. He detested tripe and suddenly realised how he’d miss his Mother’s cooking!

As for his four years in the trenches I know he quickly rose up the ranks. However, he was never short of an answer for his superiors which invariable got him into bother and he was demoted and promoted more times then people could remember.

Alongside being yo-yo’d in the ranks the common punishment handed out to him was to peel potatoes and a such he was given the nickname ‘Tatty’ (as in the Scot’s word, tattie, for potato) which stuck with him for life!

What I knew about the events leading to his DCM was that he was with a large gun at the front in a difficult situation so he sent his men back and would remain alone with the gun and remaining ammunition to give his men the best chance possible. He was not expected to survive yet reappeared to the amazement of his comrades but even more astounding he had run back with the gun over his shoulder. Being from Yorkshire he wasn’t going to leave a good bit of kit behind and his years of fell running paid off. That is as much as I knew, I did not know timescales or exact dates.

So this year as I surfed around the internet I found the Staffordshire regiment have a museum and I remember the family saying they believed the gun was kept for the museum. I wasn’t expecting to much but fired off an email to the curator with my scant details asking if there was any hope the museum could help me put more body to Tatty’s story. So imagine how I felt when later that afternoon I received this email:

Dear Ms Hobbs

I found the following in the book "Honours and Awards of the South Staffordshire Regiment" Which we sell in our shop.

"42811 Private W. Thompson (Richmond). 4th Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment. Citation London Gazette 30.10.1918 page 12842. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty for four day's heavy fighting.

He was one of the Lewis Gun team, and on the first day the remainder of the team became casualties, and all the magazines were lost except the one on the gun. During each withdrawal he stayed behind with his gun, firing and unloading (should be re-loading)) his own magazines himself, until everyone else was clear. On the third day he took forward his gun, and by enfilade fire prevented the enemy for twenty-four hours from concentrating and organising an attack on his battalion. He showed fine courage and determination."

The curator also kindly sent me the following photograph of a Lewis Gun in the museum – we can’t confirm it is the very one but look at the size of it, weighs approx 12kg and he ran back with it after four days fighting alone!

Everytime I read the email I cry, as I do when I think of him faced with tripe for tea! I have never been able to watch War films but have seen The Trench twice and find it so utterly wrenching as I can just picture Grandad amongst it but I suspect it portrays the hell it was very well and suggest if you get the chance, watch it. This is how Grandad spent his teenage years, four years in the heart of war surrounded by fear and death.

I am now looking forward arranging a visit to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum , and what is particularly poignant is they have recreated a World War I trench system.

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Comments

[Keris]

That's amazing, Rebecca. You must be so proud.

[Kate]

Wow, what an amazing story, you must be so proud of him.

It's strange to think of the things the men who became our Grandfathers did isn't it? We knew them as old(er) men, but in their youth they were real heroes.

[Rhonda]

I can feel your pride and sadness. And, as you know, relate so well (via my father and WWII) with wanting to know and understand what happened to your grandfather in the war and, thereby, know your grandfather even better.

It is almost impossible to imagine today's generation of teens being willing to do what your grandfather did: gave up youth for a sense of duty and honor. And then, to do it so heroically. He must have been an incredible man with one amazing soul. I know how proud you must be. And, I understand so deeply why that email makes you cry. It made me cry too!