Pvt. Alexander Dean Thomson #42723, Rifleman: 100 Years of WW1 Commemoration

Private THOMSON, ALEXANDER DEAN - #42723, Rifleman: 

ALEXANDER DEAN THOMSON   (photo from AWMM Cenotaph Site online)

Alex was born 10 September 1890, in Invercargill, recorded as being the youngest son of John (called James) and (William) Margaret Thomson, of Otautau, Invercargill. Although in his Military records and those who copied them, William has been wrongly recorded as his father’s name, when everywhere else this was always just James. It is only at James' burial that we find Alex’s father’s name was John, even though he was known as James. His mother’s name however, strangely seems to have actually been William MARGARET (nee Cheyne), and this is borne out both in Alex’s will – written just before he left for WW1 which names her as such, and also in her own death and burial records, along with her own will/probate. Their first child has Wilhimena Margaret listed as mother, the others just Margaret. I guess like myself, they couldn't get their head around a woman having the first name of William! However on every legal document seen while researching this story, her name was William Margaret. As this was rather odd, it is not surprising only immediate family knew and used it legally. The only other really odd thing about Alex's records is the fact his Army file lists his mother's name as Agnes. Is this a nickname she was known as, or could he have had another mother? There is nothing in any other records to suggest either option, but it is something for further research.

Although he grew up and was schooled in Invercargill, Alex moved to Otautau with his family in the early 1900’s. He spent his entire working life in the town of Otautau, until leaving for war, and sadly never coming home. Alex was also a keen player for the Otautau Football club, winning prizes, honours and being a notable player in matches, plus a member of the local I.O.O.F or Independent Order of Oddfellows, which eventually amalgamated with the Manchester Unity order of Brothers. 

Otautau Football Club, Winners of Banner, 1910, (some missing players photos added):

Back row: J. Stevens, H.A. Archdall (Secretary), C Renowden, W. Lindsay, J. Spiers, M. Gonley (Pres)
Middle row: R. Patterson, L. Lindsay, C. Robertson, W. O'Connor (Deputy-Captain), L. Brown (Captain), W. Sinclair, M. Coulter.
Front row: P. O'Brien, J. McAfee, M. Forde, A. Sutherland, T. Kirk, J. Ferguson, A.D. Thomson (last one sitting on ground at right), T. Chilton.
Alex won 1912 Senior Western District honours.

#2010.102 – from Otautau Museum.Photo in Public Domain     

In his working life, Alex had employment first with Smith & Laing Ltd, after which he entered the painting trade. However, this new vocation did not agree with Alex, so he went to work for his elder brothers in their well-known Thomson Georgeson builders business. Later on from this, Alex joined up with D.C. Sutherland under the trading name of Thomson & Sutherland Builders, where they were much sought after. Both of the partners ended up heeding the call to colours at the same time, so they sold up and ventured off to the war, which was meant to be a great adventure for young men, but ended up being one Alex never returned from.

At right: The first Thomson & Georgeson building in Otautau, on the cnr’s. Chester & Eton Streets.
(Probably taken sometime between 1908 and 1913). 10 people are standing in front of the building, the names of the ones we know are as follows:
Left to Right - [boy unnamed], Vic Clark, ? ,
Alex Thomson, Les Thomson, Geo. Georgeson, James Thomson, Cam Sutherland, ? , ?.#2010.67 - from Otautau Museum - Photo in Public Domain   
 
Alex worked for his brothers here before going into Partnership with local builder D.C. Sutherland.
                    

Alex joined up on 11 November 1916 at the age of 26 years old. Interestingly, he had been previously examined as fit for the NZEF in June 1915 and was placed in the 8^th Regiment Reserves for compulsory military training. On 1 January 1917, Alex was listed as having the rank of Private, and posted to what was called ‘J Coy’ with the 24^th Reinforcements, but on 20 February 1917 he was transferred to the 23^rd Ref. It was not until 2 April 1917 that Alex finally embarked at Wellington on the “Corinthic”, to finally begin his journey to the other side of the world, WW1 and also his death.

 

            Framed painting of Alexander Dean Thomson in WWI uniform.                 

 (Signed, A. W. & H. Jackson, CH.CH.)

Kindly donated to Otautau Museum by Bill Thomson, Invercargill - Photo in Public Domain

                  They also hold another painting by the same artist of Alex

                  in civilian clothing, done at about the same time.

                                            

                          This painting above #2008.11.1 - from Otautau Museum

                                Photo in Public Domain    

Disembarking at Plymouth, Devon, on 10 June 1917, Alex left for France on 6 July 1917 and marched into Etaples on the 10^th. On 10 August 1917 he joined the battalion and was posted as a Rifleman in ‘A Coy’. Alex’s military records have him down as serving overseas in the 3^rd Battalion of the 3^rd NZRB (Rifle Brigade). Just 9 days later, on 19 August, Alex was killed in action in the field, in Ypres, Belgium at not quite 27 years old. His death was not recorded until 24 August and his family then notified on Friday 7^th September, just 3 days before they would have been going to celebrate his birthday. What dreadful news to get, especially then. Alex is remembered at Messines Ridge (NZ) Memorial in Belgium, as well as being listed on the Otautau & Districts Monument.

Above and right photos from NZ War Graves Project:
https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/alexander-dean-thomson

Below images were taken by Jock Phillips, May 2008, from'Otautau war memorial', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/otautau-war-memorial, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-May-2017

 

But, on 15^th August 1917, Alex had written a letter to his brother Les (Leslie), with great descriptions of life at the front and this would have been some small comfort to his family once they received it after his death. The Otautau Museum were given a copy of this letter, now in their archives, with transcribed text below:

Copy of a letter from Alexander Dean Thomson to his brother Leslie,
during WWI, dated 15 August 1917, just four days before his death.
#2008.11.2a – from copy of letter held at Otautau Museum, Photo in Public Domain

TRANSCRIBED LETTER from Alex Thomson – 4 days before he was killed:

“In the field, August , 15/8/1917

Dear Brother Les,

Just a few lines to let you know that I have not forgot you, since I last wrote to you we have been amongst it and doing our little bit along with the rest no about it, every one will be glad when the war comes to a final end. Nothing but shot a shell flying over your head and all around you the whole day and night, we have been released from the trenches for a few days, we are at a rest camp, a chap gets very little sleep in the trenches, and the mud is knee deep. We all pass the time away smoking it takes some cigs to last us a week in the trenches, so we have to go easy on our pay for other things so as to get a supply of tobacco in I came across Tom Hannan, Bob Hayles, Syd. Walker last night they are all well. Harry Walker is in England I think with a bad foot. A shell fell on it which did not go off. I don’t think he will see the line again. Two of our lads got wounded the first night, all the rest are all right so far so I hope our luck keeps up. I told you to send on a few pounds if you have not done so, get Mills of the bank to cable a few to the bank London, it might be very handy some time and if I don’t need it no harm will be done.

I hope May, yourself and mother and the rest are in real good health as it leaves me at present. I hope Jim is doing all right with the mill and getting plenty of orders. Tell him as the news is scarce I will write to him again. I have been out all night these last 2 nights and sleep and rest in the day time we get all hours here. I am in A Company No. 1. Platoon, 3^rd Battalion NZ Rifle Brigade. The country about here is scorched about to the very juce? Nothing but shell holes, very few houses standing. Well dear Les, I am stuck for news. I could give you a lot but it would only be torn up by the officer, so I can only wish you all the best of all good luck and may the Lord Guide you through your day, life and watch over you all in times of trouble. Give my very best love and kind regards to all not forgetting May and yourself, Mother and Father. Au Revoir Just now, from your loving brother Alex.

Tell Mr Walker I was asking after his health hoping he is in the best of health once again. Alex”


[Interestingly, in his letter above, Alex talks about the two Walker boys (Harry & Syd), who were featured just prior to him on the blog... see previous posts for their stories.]

__________________________________________________________________________________

SOURCES: Any direct references are marked and cited. - Article researched and compiled by Suzie Best - Researcher/Historian, ph: 027-211-4675 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The content within this blog is Copyright: Photos - as stipulated above; those from Ōtautau Museum and Heritage Trust (contact on: otautau.museum@gmail.com)Research/text - to the author, unless stipulated otherwise (contact on: riverstream@xtra.co.nz)