Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

388 Private Charles Raymond Allardyce Thompson, 22nd Company Machine Gun Corps AIF, killed in action 14th September 1917, aged 27. His parents were Charles George and Elsie Thompson, of ‘Elsieville’, Main Street, Cobram.

Ray  was born and raised in Cobram where he was taught at the Cobram State School by his own father, the teacher at the time. His father taught in many of the local schools and was a highly esteemed citizen. Thompsons Beach and Thompson Avenue are named after the family.  He enlisted during May 1916 and arrived in England during September 1916. He trained in England for almost 6 months and was posted to the 22nd Machine Gun Company during March 1917. His mother said that Charles “was able to go through an 80 mile march with full kit while at Belton Park in England, before going to France. He stood six foot in his socks, weighed 13 and half stone and carried himself well.”

Ray  fought with his unit in France and Belgium for 6 months until he was killed near Westhoek Ridge in Belgium. His mates knew him as “Thommo” and stated he was killed when he was carrying ammunition into the line with a group of several men when a shell exploded on them. He died whilst being carried to a dressing station and his mates buried him about 100 yards away. Although his grave was marked it was subsequently lost and he has no known grave. His proud mother stated on his Roll of Honour form, “His chums said he was one of the bravest, he had been struck on the helmet near Vaulx while working his machine gun and fired 4,000 rounds at the enemy in revenge. He was proud to have kept a clean record. He would not study for promotion as he preferred to go to France as men were needed there.”

It was reported in the Cobram Courier of 27th September 1916 that Corporal Ray Thompson had been killed in action in France. “Few ladies in this district are held in such high esteem and respect as Mrs Thompson, who is President of the local Red Cross Society and has been an indefatigable worker for the welfare of our soldiers, and therefore the sympathy manifested for her and family in their great loss was sincere as well an widespread; moreover, many residents still have personal recollections of the sturdy, promising young man who was born and reared at Cobram East about 26 years ago.”