Thompson G M Lt 1st Royal Scots
THOMPSON, GEORGE MASTERMAN, Lieut., 1st Battn. The Royal Scots, attd. Gold Coast Regt. West African Frontier Force, only s. of the late Col. George William Thompson, formerly commanding 1st Battn. Royal Scots (who saw service in the Crimea, China, and India), by his wife, Agnes (Beechwood, Burley, co. Hants), dau. of Admiral John Russell; b. Etschowe, Zululand, 21 Feb. 1890; educ. Mr. Stanford’s Private School, St. Aubyns, Rottingdean; Wellington College, and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 2nd Royal Scots, 18 Sept. 1909; transferred to 1st Battn. in Jan. 1910, and served three years in India; promoted Lieut. 13 Feb. 1913, and attd. to the Gold Coast Regt. West African Frontier Force, and was killed in action, 22 Aug. 1914, while gallantly leading an attack on a strongly entrenched position at Chra, Togoland: “a deed of extraordinary courage.” Buried at Chra; unm.
Lord Kitchener forwarded to his relatives an official letter from the Governor-General of French West Africa, saying: “That he had decided that the splendid behaviour on 22 Aug. 1914, in the affair of Chra, of Lieut. Thompson, of His Britannic Majesty’s Army, and of the detachment of French native troops commanded by that officer, deserved to be commemorated in a Special General Order, as an example to all the troops in the Colony”; and one from General Pienau, forwarding the Order: “and expressing his very deep admiration for the magnificent way in which this officer performed his duty as a soldier, when sacrificing his life.” The terms of the Order were: “Placed on 22 Aug. before the fight of Chra under the orders of Capt. Castaing of the Dahomey Brigade, he gave proof of supreme courage, of fine qualities of command in leading his Tirailleurs to the attack of German trenches vigorously defended-fifty metres from the enemy’s line he fell mortally wounded-his splendid example earned that almost the whole of the French Tirailleurs placed under his orders laid down their lives defending his body.” The Commanding Officer wrote: “His conduct during the action was particularly gallant. He was killed while attempting to storm the German trenches on the enemy’s left. He was an officer who was genuinely popular with all ranks and one whom we could ill afford to lose, and I wish to convey to you not only my own profound sympathy in your loss, which is also mine, but that of all ranks of the Togoland Field Force. His conduct was that of a gallant officer and gentleman.”
The Adjutant wrote: “I had more opportunities than anybody of realising your son’s sterling qualities as a soldier in peace times and his conspicuous gallantry in times of war. His loss is deeply felt by the whole force”; and a District Commissioner wrote: “His proficiency in the language and his influence over the natives, both soldiers and civilians, were astonishing, and great regret was evinced by all at Quittah, where the force of his personality had been very much felt during the short time he had been in command there, the chief asking leave to visit the grave at Chra.” Lieut. Thompson was a fine linguist, and besides speaking French and the native dialect fluently, had passed the higher standard in Hindustani and Persian. He was a keen sportsman and a good fencer and polo player.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1
