Prescot Roll of Honour

William THOMPSON

20 Ackers Street, Prescot

Private 381, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment

William was born on 12th August 1886 in Prescot, the eldest son of William and Annie Thompson of Ackers Street.
William was one of the first men to join the newly formed 5th Bn, part of the new Territorial Force which was created in 1908. He attested on 14th April 1908 in Prescot. He had previously served for 2 years with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the regiment, which was the forerunner of the 5th Bn.

He stated that he was 21 years old and a Carter working for Mr H Badger of Prescot. In the 1911 census, he was working for the Urban District Council as a Carter and lived as a Boarder in Rowson Street.

Signing on initially for a year, he re-engaged in 1909 and again each year until 19134, attending annual camp each year.

Being a Territorial, he was embodied (called up) on the outbreak of war. William was appointed Lance Corporal on 22nd February 1915 and Corporal on 5th September 1915. In February 1917, he was renumbered as Corporal 240032. His term of service expired in November 1915 and he was disembodied until 10th March 1917. He did not serve overseas and therefore had no medal entitlement.

William married Helen Melia in Prescot in 1916 and they had six children; Nora (1916), William (1918), Emily (1920), Edward (1921), Helen (1923) and Alfred (1928)

In the 1939 National Register, William, Helen, Nora and Alfred are recorded at 17 Sewell Street, Prescot. William was employed as a Builder’s Labourer.

Sadly, two of William’s sons were killed in the Second World War. William served with the Royal Engineers and was killed in action in Belgium in 1940. Edward joined the Royal Air Force and was posted missing after a mission on 31st August 1944.