Researching a Relative’s Service in the Great War

Researching the war service of a relative during the Great War can be a rewarding experience, but anyone wishing to undertake such a project must be prepared for disappointments or even the possibility of drawing a complete blank. However, when in 1993 Andrew Thornton began to uncover the story of his Great-Grandfather, Private (later Company-Sergeant-Major) William Thompson M.M. and his service with the 1/6th North Staffords, he found it a very worthwhile undertaking. For him, the most moving part of the research was finding out about his Great-Grandfather’s brother, John, who was killed in action in France. The results of his efforts culminated in him being the first member of his family to visit the memorial on which John’s name is inscribed, to remember the sacrifice he made all those years before.

The Medals of Company Sergeant-Major Willam Thompson, M.M.

William Thompson, Andrew’s Great Grandfather, was a Territorial in the 6th North Staffords, having joined the “C” Company based at Tamworth in January 1912 with his brother, John. He worked at Hall End Colliery. By 1914 he was married, to Florence, and had a young daughter, Olive, who was born on 15th March 1914. They lived in Shelton Street in Wilnecote, then a small mining village on Watling Street near Tamworth. When war was declared in August 1914, William was with the 6th North Staffords at the Staffordshire Brigade camp at St Asaph. After serving in Belgium, France and briefly in Egypt, he suffered burns to his hands in June 1917 and was evacuated. Unable to return to France due to his injuries he continued to serve as a Company-Sergeant-Major to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment, a training unit based at Mablethorpe, where he remained until he was demobilised on 14th December 1918. These details were pieced together through a combination of basic research, educated guesses supported by background knowledge and sheer good luck!

Read more about Andrew’s research