Jo Stacey contacted me to say; ‘May I please request a mention in your weekly email, on the Sunday nearest to 4th October. My husband’s great grandfather, Frank Thompson, number 6899, of the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire regiment, died 4/10/1917, and is commemorated at Tyne Cot. We both enjoy your email, and it would be lovely to see Frank ‘in print’.
We hope to see you again at one of the Spalding WFA meetings in the future.’ [Thank you Jo. Hopefully I will be asked to speak once again in 2026! – Ed]
Therefore, yesterday was the 108th anniversary of Frank Thompson’s death in battle as the 1st Battalion attacked east of Polygon Wood towards the Reutel Beke as part of the Battle we know today as Passchendaele. Frank’s death came on the day that the commanding officer of 1/Lincolns won the Victoria Cross.
The concrete bunker is still visible today and it was here that Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Pugh Evans, Black Watch, but attached to 1/Lincolns as CO won his Victoria Cross. His citation reads:
‘For most conspicuous bravery and leadership. Lt.-Col. Evans took his battalion in perfect order through a terrific enemy barrage, personally formed up all units, and led them to the assault. While a strong machine gun emplacement was causing casualties, and the troops were working round the flank, Lt.-Col. Evans rushed at it himself and by firing his revolver through the loophole, forced the garrison to capitulate. After capturing the first objective he was severely wounded in the shoulder, but refused to be bandaged, and re-formed the troops, pointed out all future objectives, and again led his battalion forward. Again badly wounded, he nevertheless continued to command until the second objective was won, and, after consolidation, collapsed from loss of blood. As there were numerous casualties, he refused assistance, and by his own efforts ultimately reached the Dressing Station. His example of cool bravery stimulated in all ranks the highest valour and determination to win.’
Evans’ citation states that the 1/Lincolns suffered ‘numerous casualties’ and I assume that Frank Thompson was probably one of those casualties. As Jo mentions above, Frank’s body was never identified and today he is remembered on the memorial wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery.
The VC action of Evans is probably the reason why this day resonates in the annals of the Lincolnshire Regiment in the Great War, but I would ask you all today, to spare a special thought for the other men who were there ‘doing their bit for the Great Cause’, and especially for 6899 Private Frank Thompson who made the ultimate sacrifice on this day.
I have attached below, Frank Thompson’s Medal Index Card which shows that Frank was a pre-war regular soldier who landed in France on 13th August 1914, thereby becoming an Old Contemptible.
I also attach Frank’s record of Soldier’s Effects, which shows that his back pay of £18 19s 4d and his War Gratuity of £14 were paid to his widow, Emma, who by November 1919, is noted as being Mrs Emma Smith, like so many war widows, she was by necessity, forced to swiftly remarry.
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