Virtual
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Australia

Son of Joseph and Frances Mary Thompson, (nee Sellars) of Donington, Spalding, Lincs, England.  
He was Baptised on 25th December 1872 at Swineshead, Lincolnshire where he was born. He is remembered on the Western Australia State War Memorial which is located at the top of Kings Park and Botanic Garden escarpment, ANZAC Bluff. Fraser Avenue, Perth, Western Australia. In the United Kingdom, he is remembered on the war memorial tablet on the East wall of the North aisle in St Mary and the Holy Rood Church, Donington. It is a bronze tablet, size 1020 x 600mm commissioned by Mr H. Dods, made by Mr. R. Chapman of Donington.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 24th November……William Jabez Thompson was born at Swineshead, Lincolnshire, England in 1872.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 23rd August, 1916 as a 42 year old, single, Farmer. His next of kin was listed as his mother – Mrs Frances M. Sykes of High Street, Donington, Spalding, Lincolnshire, England.

Private William Jabez Thompson embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 9th November, 1916 with 48th Battalion, 7th Reinforcements & disembarked at Devonport, England on 10th January, 1917.

He was marched in to 12th Training Battalion at Codford, Wiltshire from Australia on 11th January, 1917.

On 27th January, 1917 Private Thompson was admitted to Group Clearing Hospital at Codford, Wiltshire with Influenza & discharged on 29th January, 1917. He was re-admitted to Group Clearing Hospital at Codford, Wiltshire on 19th February, 1917 with Influenza & discharged on 24th February, 1917 with 2 days light duty.

Private Thompson proceeded overseas to France from 12th Training Battalion, Codford via Southampton on 19th June, 1917. He was marched in to 4th A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Havre on 20th June, 1917. On 8th July, 1917 he was marched out to join his Unit & was taken on strength with 48th Battalion on 9th July, 1917.

Private William Jabez Thompson was wounded in action on 10th July, 1917 at Ploegsteert, Belgium. He was taken to 13th Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to Casualty Clearing Station. Private Thompson was admitted to 8th Stationary Hospital on 11th July, 1917 with gunshot wounds to scalp & right leg.

He was transferred to England on 16th July, 1917 on Hospital Ship “St. Denis ” & was admitted to Lakenham Military Hospital, Norwich, England on 16th July, 1917 with gunshot wounds to scalp & right leg - severe. The Hospital Report states “wounds very superficial”. He was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford on 7th August, 1917. Private Thompson was discharged to Depot at Weymouth on 24th August, 1917.

On 24th August, 1917 Private Thompson was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth. He was transferred to No. 4 Command Depot at Codford, Wiltshire, on 18th September, 1917 & was medically classified as B1 A3 (fit for Overseas Training Camp in two to three weeks).

He was sent sick to 3rd New Zealand General Hospital at Codford on 24th November, 1917.

Private William Jabez Thompson died at 8 pm on 24th November, 1917 at No. 3 New Zealand Military Hospital, Codford, Wiltshire, England from Hydronephrosis (swelling of kidneys).

He was buried in Donington Old Cemetery, Donington, Lincolnshire, England

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/donington.html