Alexander McNaught Thomson, Private (105537) Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) died of wounds on 16 September 1916 and is buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, France.
Alexander was born on 12 April 1886 at Kilontrie Farm in Crossmichael Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. He was the son of James and Jane (Walker) Thomson who later moved to the village of Springhholm in Urr Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire.
He was farming at Francis, Saskatchewan when he enlisted at Regina in December 1915 (giving his year of birth as 1890). He was posted to the 68th Battalion, Canadian Infantry and in June 1916 transferred to the PPCLI. He was fatally wounded in the attack on Courcelette on 15 September 1916 where the PPCLI took its objectives but suffered just under 300 casualties.
He is remembered on the memorial in Springholm Village Hall and on the Urr Parish War Memorial.
Do you have any photo’s of the 68th Battalion of the PPLI? My uncle (dad’s brother) died at Vimy Ridge (Lance Cpl Peter Robson 105372 ), he enlisted at the same time and place (Regina Saskatchewan) as Alexander Thomson did. My uncle farmed at Reward Saskatchewan prior to enlisting and was born in Culsalmond Aberdeenshire Scotland. I don’t know what he looked like and not too much about him, trying to trace anything I can. Thanks for your time. Lynn Robson-Brick