HASTINGS STANDARD, VOLUME VII, ISSUE 270, 8 SEPTEMBER 1917
THE LATE LIEUTENANT W. THOMPSON.
A BRAVE SOLDIER. The following letters, received by Mr and Mrs T. J. Thompson, Hastings, bear testimony to the fine qualities and bravery of their son, the late Lieut. W. Thompson, who was killed in action while leading his men in the great Messines battle :- Brigadier General Braithwaite, at Headquarters, France writes: ''l knew your son well, and he is a great loss, not only to his own battalion, but "to the New Zealand Division. I can only hope and trust that as time goes on, the memory of his life and glorious death at the head of his men, may be an abiding comfort to you and yours."
Captain M. J. Morrison writes :- "Your son has been with me in the company for some time and was a very popular, efficient and jovial officer. His continual cheerfulness made him a great assistance in strenuous times. He was shot by machine-gun fire at the battle of Messines, on the morning of 7th June and died on the field very shortly afterwards. He was buried where he fell near the town of Messines. We all mourn the loss of a brave man endowed with courage and a great deal of common sense. He was bravely leading his men when he fell and thus died while fulfilling his duty. I cannot express in words my sympathy with you in your loss. Colonel Stewart our C. O. always spoke very highly of your son's worth. Truly he was a man of whom you can be proud."
Note : Captain M. J. Morrison has since made the supreme sacrifice. His death was announced in the Tribune last Friday.
Sister G. Meddins N.Z.A.N.S. writes from Brokenhurst, England: Billy was one of my friends, and feel his death keenly I had a letter from him written on May 29th, saying he was very much disappointed over being sent down to the school of instruction for a month, as he would probably miss the great "stunt." I got a fearful shock on seeing his name on the casualty lists. Since then I've had a talk with one of the off
Public - Shane - Direct descendant - 17 February 2018 - Hastings Standard, Vol VII, Issue 270, 8 Sep 1917