Sale  

Richard James Thompson

Rank:W. Telegraphist
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Name of Rgt or Ship:H.M.S. Laurentic
Died:25/01/1917Age:29
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:Lost at Sea
Cemetery or Memorial:Plymouth Naval Memorial
Town Memorial:Sale
Extra Information:
Born during the December quarter 1887 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/771,
the son of John Henry & Ann Thompson (nee Ecroyd).

1891 Census - 29 Ogden Street, Ardwick, Manchester.   Son - aged: 3 - born:
Ardwick, Manchester.   Head of household - John Henry Thompson - Married -
aged: 37 - occ: Carrier. - born: Hulme, Manchester.   Also - Annie Thompson
- Wife - aged: 34 - born: Ardwick, Manchester.   Plus 1 younger sister.

1901 Census - 20 Oldfield Road, Sale.    Son - aged: 13 - born: Manchester.
   Head of household - John Henry Thompson - Married - aged: 47 - occ:
General Carrier. - born: Manchester.   Also - Anne Thompson - Wife - aged:
44 - born: Manchester.   Plus 1 younger sister.

1911 Census - "South Bank", Broad Road, Sale.    Son - aged: 23 - occ:
Forwarding Agent - born: Lancashire.   Head of household - John Henry
Thompson - Married - aged: 57 - occ: Retired Carrier. - born: Manchester.  
Also - Ann Thompson - Wife - aged: 54 - born: Manchester.   Plus 1 younger
sister.

A member of the choir of St. Pauls P.C. and a member of their Sunday
School.     Member of Sale C.C.

Studied wireless telegraphy and had his own wireless station adjacent to
his home

He was the Warrant Telegraphist aboard the H.M.S. "Laurentic" which he
joined in November 1914.   He was also the organit and choirmaster on that
ship.

H.M.S. "Laurentic" was an Armed Merchant Cruiser and on the 23/01/17 she
ran over two mines laid oustide the entrance to Lough Swilly off the
Northern coast of Ireland.    The ship was holed under the bridge and under
the funnels on the port side.    Within minutes she lost all power and
rolled over and sank.

The book "British Warship Losses of the 20th Century" state that there were
no casualties - which under the circumstances is rather strange and Richard
Thompson's death proves that there was at least one, albeit two days later.
  There were 368 survivors.

Death reported in the 02/02/1917 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Local newspaper states that he lived at South Bank, Broad Road, Sale.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.





Local newspaper states that he lived at South Bank, Broad Road, Sale.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.

No trace TNA - ADM.

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