Private George Thompson

Private George Thompson, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action in France, aged 22, on 25th September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He had been born at West Morriston, Earlston to James and Isabella Thompson of Broomielees, Melrose where his father was the Farm Manager. He had worked as a farm servant at Ladhope near Galashiels and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Somme, France. He fell in the successful assault on the strong German positions in the village of Morval where 700 prisoners were taken. Casualties were 4 Officers and 165 Other Ranks. ( The Battle as a whole cost the Battalion 19 Officers and 136 Other Ranks killed with 23 Officers and 708 Other Ranks wounded. In addition 266 Other Ranks had been posted missing. This was more than the total war strength of the Battalion.). The photographs show the Somme with its typically chalky soil which would turn into a glutinous quagmire in the autumn rains making movement of men and guns very difficult. The colour photo shows a peaceful Somme landscape today.