1700 Private William Syme Isdale Thomson
'C' Company
6th(Perthshire)Battalion(Territorial)
The Black Watch(Royal Highlanders)
13th November 1916
Born on 04/05/1896 at 9am at Turretbank, Monzievaird and Strowan, Perthshire. His parents were Robert Thomson (20/04/1863-23/04/1930) and Isabella Isdale (03/08/1866-02/06/1941). They were married on 01/07/1892.
William had 2 brothers, Charles (29/03/1893-26/09/1958) and Robert( Born on 28/11/1898).
He also had 3 sisters, Maggie (28/06/1894-1975), Jane (26/11/1903-1984) and Isabella Isdale (14/05/1914-1985.
In the 1901(Scottish) census, the family were recorded as living at Turret Lodge, Monzievaird and Strowan, Perthshire. Robert snr. was employed as a farm servant(working with horses).
The 1911(Scottish) census shows that the family were now living at Currocks, Monzievaird and Strowan, Perthshire. Robert snr was now employed as a farm foreman. William was also working as a grocers message boy.
William probably enlisted in Perth and was sent to France on 02/05/1915. He was killed in action on 13/11/1916.
Strathearn Herald – Saturday 25 November 1916
Crieff Men Killed in Action
Brave Lads Fall in “One of the Biggest Successes of the War.”
In the case of Private Thomson, who is second son(both serving) of Mr Robert Thomson, employed in the gardens of Strathearn Hydropathic, he seems to have met his death late in the day, because the Surgeon-Major of the regiment (belonging to Crieff) also writes stating that he was acting as a stretcher-bearer after the charge, and spoke to him several times when bringing in wounded. Before enlisting he was a grocer in the service of Lipton. Ltd., at their Crieff branch.
Perthshire Constitutional & Journal – Monday 27 November 1916
Crieff Casualties
Private William Thomson, Black Watch, second son of Mr Robert Thomson, Strathearn Hydropathic Gardens, Crieff, has been killed while acting as a stretcher-bearer on 13th November. There were numerous casualties including other Crieff men killed and wounded, and in the course of a letter a Black Watch officer says—“ So many brave lads fell that day that it will be some time before I find out who they all were. He (their son) died taking part in one of the biggest successes which the British have had during the war.” Private Thomson was twenty years of age, and before the outbreak of war was a grocer in the Crieff branch of Lipton, Limited. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war and proceeded to the front in May 1915.
His mother was awarded a pension of 5/9 a week from 29/05/1917 on 05/06/1917.
William was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
For some reason the family never accepted the medals as the officer in charge of records in Perth requested the disposal of the medals 26/10/1920.