Commemorated:

1. Memorial:Vendresse British CemeteryII.A.2
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.136
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour12D GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

Distinguished Service Order
Croix de Guerre (France)
 

Family :

Son of James and Eliza Thomson; husband of Ethel Norah Mayson Thomson, of The Uplands, Malton, Yorks. Born at Huddersfield.SEE RUDD BOOK

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: 5/YORKSHIRES 

Action : The Battle of the Aisne 1918 

27 May - 6 June 1918. In another attempt to exploit perceived allied weakness after the initial Kaiserschlacht campaign of March-April 1918 had lost momentum, the German command directed an attack on the area around Soissons-Rheims against the French army. It was the misfortune of five British Divisions to have been sent to that ?quiet? sector to recover after the exertions on the British front and find themselves in the way of, and bearing the brunt of, yet another German assault. They suffered significant losses before the French army could restore the situation.

London Gazette entries:
LG 19-3-1901
2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment), James Albert Raymond Thomson, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant.
Dated 20th March, 1901.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...lbert%20raymond
LG 12-6-1903
2nd Volunteer Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own ( Yorkshire Regiment),
Second Lieutenant J. A. R. Thomson to be Lieutenant. Dated 13th June, 1903.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...%20R.%20Thomson
LG 17-10-1905
2nd Volunteer Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment); The undermentioned lieutenants to be Captains:
J. A. R. Thomson. Dated 18th October, 1905.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...%20R.%20Thomson
LG 21-6-1912
TERRITORIAL FORCE RESERVE.
Infantry.
James Albert .Raymond Thomson (late Captain, 5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)) to be Captain. Dated 22nd June, 1912.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...lbert%20raymond
LG 12-12-1916
War Office,
12th December, 1916.
TERRITORIAL FORCE.
Yorkshire Regt.
Capt. J. A. R. Thomson to be temp. Maj. 17th Sept. 1916.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...%20R.%20Thomson
LG 14-8-1917
INFANTRY.
Yorkshire Regt.
Capt. (temp.) (temp. Maj.) J. A. R. Thomson to be Capt. (temp. Maj.), with precedence as from 5th Aug. 1914. 15th Aug. 1917.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...%20R.%20Thomson
LG 3-9-1917
Yorkshire Regt.
Capt. J. A. R. Thomson to be actg. Lt.-Col. whilst comdg. Bn. 25th July 1917.
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...%20R.%20Thomson
London Gazette 7-1-1919
Awarded the Croix de Guerre
Captain (acting Major) James Albert Raymond Thomson, D.S.O., Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force).
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.a...lbert%20raymond

Detail :

http://www.ww1-yorkshires.org.uk/pdf-files/officers-died-ww1(coulson).pdf Lt Col James Albert Raymond Thomson DSO ? 5th Battalion. James Thomson was born in Huddersfield in 1876 and was a pre-war territorial officer with the 5th battalion. He took the Yorkshires first prisoners of war at Hull in 1914 whilst in charge of interned German shipping. Captain Thomson sailed with the battalion from Southampton landing at Le Havre on April 16th 1915. He saw action at St Julien and Hooge during the second Ypres battle and was wounded in action close to Dickebusche on December 19th 1915. During the 'Operations at the Bluff' in February of 1916 he was wounded again but was back with the battalion in September during the Somme offensive. By now promoted, Major Thomson fought at the Battle of Arras in April 1917 and on July 10th assumed command of the battalion at Cherisy when Lt Col Pearce was wounded. The battalion fought rearguard actions during the German spring offensive in March 1918 and on the 25th of the month the GOC 24th Brigade sent for the newly promoted Lt Col Thomson to thank him for the efforts made by the officers and men of the battalion during the German onslaught. On April 25th 1918 Lt Col Thomson and the battalion were moved to what was considered to be a ?quiet area? on the Chemin des Dames ridge. On May 27th with the Yorkshires on the Craonne Plateau the Germans launched a ?totally unexpected attack? on the British line. By 6-00am Lt Col Thomson?s last report was received, ?HQ company fighting about the command post and appear to be surrounded?. Lt Col James Albert Raymond Thomson DSO was killed in this action on May 27th 1918 at the age of 42. His grave today can be seen in Vendresse British Cemetery on the Aisne ten miles south of Laon. James Thomson was the son of James and Eliza Thomson and the husband of Ethel Thomson of ?The Uplands?, Malton in North Yorkshire. His name is remembered on the Sledmere Cross close to the home of his former commanding officer,Sir Mark Sykes and also on Malton War Memorial.

Citations & Commemorations :

  Thomson, James Albert Raymond, Capt. (Acting Lieut-Colonel) Yorkshire Regt.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout 10 days fighting this officer has rendered splendid service, inspiring the brigade by his example of cheerfulness and leadership. When the enemy captured a village he established his battalion on some high ground above it, holding on from 9 am to 5 pm although his right was in the air, and he niether orders nor information. On a later occasion, after encouraging his men throughout a day of intense shelling, he led a counter-attack in the evening to cover the withdrawal of another division. This was successful, as also was his rearguard action afterwards.

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Camalodunum No. 660 E.C.Yorkshire (North & East Ridings)

Initiated
Passed
Raised
5th April 1898
3rd May 1898
20th December 1898
 

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2020-11-25 12:46:31