06/06/1875 –1939
Served in the Army, both before and during World War I
Relatives
Research:
Unmarked grave Arthur Joseph Thompson (1876-1939)
Arthur was born 6 June 1875 in Islington to Thomas and Harriet Mary (née Loveridge) Thompson. His father, according to the 1881 census, was a “horse keeper”. In that year the family lived in 15b, Beaconsfield Buildings, Islington. (An image of the buildings and an explanation of their purpose can be seen on the Historic England website).
Arthur was baptised on 26 August 1883, along with his two younger siblings at Saint Mark’s, Victoria Park, Cadogan Terrace, Tower Hamlets. The family were living at 18, Wyke Road and his father was still a horse keeper.
On 16 March 1883 his mother was admitted to the workhouse infirmary and Arthur, along with his two younger siblings were also admitted to the workhouse. It is no clear how long they were there, or why.
In November 1890, aged just 15, Arthur signed up to serve with the rank of “Boy” in the Border Regiment, a line infantry regiment. Although the records are very hard to decipher, it seems he had been employed as a milkman. He was only four foot seven and three quarters inches tall with a “fresh” complexion and various dots tattooed on his arms and chest. He became a Private when he reached 18. He served in the UK until February 1893, then in India where he was, for some time, at the barracks at Multan (now in Pakistan). In March 1903 he returned to England and was discharged from the Army.
He married Edith Ada Duprey 18 April 1904 at St Gabriel’s, Bromley. His deceased father’s occupation was given as “cab driver”. Their son Alfred Arthur was born later that year. Sadly, he died in 1906. The couple lived in Islington where Edith Ada (1905), Rose Maud (1908) and Ivy Alice (1910) were born.
On census night 2 April 1911 Arthur was a patient in the infirmary of the vast Islington workhouse. His occupation is given as “assistant brewer”. Edith and the girls were at home at 82, Whistler Street, Highbury. The house still exists – one of a terrace of neat little Victorian cottages.
Arthur clearly made a good recovery and returned home. Arthur Edward was born in 1912 and Lilian Edith in 1914, both in Islington district.
21 September 1914 Arthur joined up to serve in the Reserves of the Border Regiment. His records are very difficult to read, but he was promoted to Corporal (January 1915) and then Sergeant in September that year. He had grown to five foot two and a half inches tall, with brown hair and eyes. He had a tattoo of a cross on his chest and flowers on both forearms.
Another daughter was born in 1920, but the records are very confusing. There is a fourth quarter civil registration record for Doris V Thompson, mother née Duprey, born in the Edmonton district. There is also a baptism record for Gladys May Thompson, daughter of Arthur and Edith, born 4 November 1920 and baptised 2 January 1921. There is no civil birth registration for her. However, Gladys May appears in the 1921 census record, but not Doris V. It appears that the decision was made to change her name when she was baptised.
In June 1921 the family was living at 46, Vale Road, Stoke Newington and Arthur was an “office keeper”. The June 1921 census shows that he was employed by the Foreign Office. The role appears to be a cross between a janitor and a low-level administrative assistant.
At some point Arthur and Edith moved to 107, Gossoms End where Edith died in 1934. She is buried here.
Arthur survived her until April 1939, dying at home at 107, Gossoms End aged 63.
View burial 
Personalities of the Past
The Fallen of WWI in Rectory Lane Cemetery
Memorial Symbolism
