Person

Isaac Thompson was born on 9 October 1888, son of John and Annie Thompson of Rowantreefoot Farm. Isaac had one sister, Selina, and two brothers, Wilfred and John. He was admitted to St John’s Chapel School on 4 October 1892.

On 8 Nov 1912, aged 24, he sailed from London to Sydney, Australia on the SS Orontes, and described himself as a labourer. The following year, his maternal uncle, Featherstone Emerson took passage to Australia with his wife and two children and settled in Corral, New South Wales where Isaac also lived. Isaac joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Liverpool, New South Wales, on 3 February 1915.

By then, Isaac gave his occupation as miner, his original address as Rowantreefoot Farm, Saint John’s Chapel, and his next-of-kin as his father. He was conscripted as a private in the 18th Battalion, 5th Infantry, Machine Gun Brigade, unit number 373.

The service records of Isaac Thompson provide a fascinating account of his experiences as a soldier. He served in Gallipoli and was wounded there on 27 August 1915 and admitted to hospital in Heliopolis. He eventually returned to duty in Gallipoli in October 1915.

In March 1916 Isaac embarked for France, arriving in Marseilles. He served on the Western Front and was wounded in France in July 1916, though he remained on duty despite his wounds. In the following months he was swiftly promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant. Finally, on 15 November 1916 Isaac was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field and the honour was recorded in the London Gazette on 12 December 1916.

In February 1917 Isaac sustained a serious leg wound and was treated in the Australian Hospital for gangrene. He failed to recover and died on 27 February 1917. He was buried at St. Sever Extension Cemetery in Rouen.

Various personal effects were eventually returned to his father, John Thompson. These included a disc, letters, photos, a pocket book, wallets, a compass, whistle, cigarette cards, a cap and two handkerchiefs. In May 1917 his father signed the receipt for these items. In July his uncle, Featherstone Emerson, who was still living in New South Wales, requested in writing a copy of the military death certificate for his nephew in order to obtain a donation from his local lodge.

In addition to the Military Medal, Isaac Thompson was also posthumously awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. These were also sent to his father.

Civil Parish: Stanhope

Birth date: 9-Oct-1888

Death date: 27-Feb-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Rowantreefoot Farm, Saint John’s Chapel
New South Wales, Australia

Education: Saint John’s Chapel School

Employment: Labourer
Miner

Family: Father: John Thompson
Mother: Annie Thompson
Sister: Selina Thompson
Brothers: Wilfred, John Thompson

Military service:

Sergeant, 18th Battalion, 5th, Machine Gun Brigade, Australian Imperial Force

Medal(s): Military Medal
1914/15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): St. Sever Extension Cemetery, Rouen, France
War Memorial, Saint Johns Chapel
Australian War Memorial, panel 179. In 1918, Isaac’s name will be projected on this memorial on four occasions as part of the 1918 celebrations.

Gender: Male

Contributed by John B | Mel Brown