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Pte John Thomson McDonald G.H. *Listed under Thomson*

 
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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 4858
Location: The County of Angus

PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:01 am    Post subject: Pte John Thomson McDonald G.H. *Listed under Thomson* Reply with quote

I've hunted & hunted for this man, doesn't seem to be on CWGC/SNWM & there's no war return on ScotlandsPeople for him as far as I can tell.

Here's his entry in the Arbroath RoH.



Last edited by DelBoy on Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:21 am; edited 2 times in total
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 1649
Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Derek

As you say, no sign of him on CWGC. Will check further.
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Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Name: THOMSON, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 19/04/1945
Service No: 3322299
Additional information: Son of Ronald Thomson and Margaret Thomson, of Arbroath, Angus.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 80.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That does look like him. I only had time for a quick search of CWGC this morning under Mc/Macdonald.
It appears from SNWM he was born at Kilmarnock and his mother married / re-married.
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Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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DelBoy



Joined: 12 Jul 2007
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aaaaah! How very confusing!?!

Thanks lads.
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kinnethmont



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Location: Aberdeenshire

PostPosted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:56 pm    Post subject: Pte John Thomson G.H. Reply with quote

Derek

I have been given some reliable information on this man which explains the CWGC entry as Thomson.

It appears the ROH is the source of an error which suggests that because his parents names are McDonald so is he, but this is not the case.

Gordon Highlander records show a John Thomson from Arbroath listing his next of kin as Mrs M Thomson and the article mentions his wife's name as Marjorie (same initial). I suspect his mother remarried Mr McDonald which is why their name is not the same as his.
John Thomson died in Borneo on 19th April 1945 and this is confirmed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site. His number, 3322299, is an HLI number, kept on his transfer so everything fits with the press item except the surname McDonald. (Gordons prefix normally 28 or 29)

The middle name assumed by the article (Thomson) is actually his surname and he is listed thus by CWGC from information provided by the Army.
I am advised he was one of 32 Gordons who went to Borneo and only 6 survived. The Japanese exterminated nearly all of their prisoners of war in Borneo in 1945 to prevent them being liberated by the Australians (e.g. Sandakan 2,000 sent on a death march and only 6 survived !)


I hope this assists.
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Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk
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