Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Percy was the second eldest son of Frederick Thompson and his wife Alice Edwards, the eldest daughter of Henry Edwards and Lydia Edwards. He was born at Bendolba. At the time of his enlistment, Percy was living in McIntyre Street in Gordon at a time when the suburb was mainly occupied by orchardists and sawyers. Given the Edwards connection with logging, it is not unreasonable to guess that the husband of Henry Edwards’ daughter Alice, Frederick Thompson, was a sawyer. Percy likely went to school at Gordon Public school.

On enlisting in Jun 1915, Percy claimed several years experience in the militia. He may have been part of the Kuringai Regiment.

The 20th Battalion was raised at Liverpool in New South Wales in March 1915 as part of the 5th Brigade. They initially fought at Gallipoli, defending Russell’s Top. Percy arrived with the 4th reinforcements in Nov 1915, about 1 month before the decision to evacuate. The 20th was then sent to the Western front via Alexandria and Marseille. The 20th Battalion were in trenches holding the Bridoux Salient to the south-east of Bois Grenier on the 5th May 1916 when there was heavy German bombardment, causing about 100 casualties. Percy was presumably amongst the fatalities. The bombardment was followed up by a German raiding party but quickly retired without losing a man, and taking with them eleven prisoners and two Stokes Guns which up until this point the British had been trying to keep this new trench mortar as a secret. Through this action German intelligence was able to confirm the presence of the Australian 2nd Division in France, but the importance of the Stokes Gun to the British was at this stage not appreciated by the Germans. However, this first engagement by the Australians in France was a major setback and embarrassment for the Australian commanders and their troops and the loss of the two Stokes guns rapidly became known throughout the army. Disciplinary measures were taken with Court Martials for the two officers in charge of the mortars, and with the Commanding Officer of the 20th Battalion being sent back to Australia. Percy was buried in the Brewery Orchard Cemetary, Bois Grenier, France. He was posthumously awarded the 1914/15 Star (18231), the British War Medal (22425) and the Victory Medal (22258).

Effect on family: His parents moved to a new residence in Gordon Rd, Gordon after the war, which they named ‘Percyville’. Alice and Frederick are buried in St John’s Anglican churchyard, Gordon. They included an inscription to Percy on their headstone.