Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Kenneth Fletcher Thomson was born on 16th August 1895 in Guilsborough, Northamptonshire, to merchant and Baptist Minister Malcom McMillan Thomson and Edith Morley Thomson (nee Fletcher).
Kenneth’s father Malcom was born in the 2nd quarter of 1841 in Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire to Baptist Minister Donald, born about 1811 in Scotland and Sarah, born about 1814 in Bradford, Yorkshire. Malcolm married Elizabeth in the 4th quarter of 1868 in West Derby, Lancashire. Elizabeth died in the 4th quarter of 1869 in West Derby.
Malcolm Thomson re-married Edith Morley Fletcher in the 1st quarter of 1880 in West Derby, Lancashire.
Kenneth’s mother Edith was born in the 2nd quarter of 1859 in Lower Clapton London to manufacturing chemist Alfred Evans, born about 1828 in Hatton Garden, London and Sarah Elizabeth, born about 1836 in Leeds, Yorkshire.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 3 Fairfield Crescent, West Derby, Lancashire. Malcolm McMillan was working as a general merchant and Pastor of a Baptist church. Edith was looking after their children: Winifred Edith; Malcolm McMillan; Angus Morley and Muriel Ethel. The family also employed a general servant and domestic nurse.
Kenneth had six siblings: Douglas MacDonald born in the 4th quarter of 1881 in West Derby; Winifred Edith born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in Liverpool; Malcolm McMillan born in the 4th quarter of 1885 in Fairfield, Lancashire; Angus Morley born on the 27th of June 1887 and Muriel Ethel born in the 4th quarter of 1890, both in Liverpool and Ronald MacGregor born in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in Oswestry, Shropshire.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at “Oakfields”, Oswestry, Shropshire. Malcolm was a Baptist Minister and Edith was at home. Of their children: Winifred was a teacher in a private school and Angus, Muriel, Kenneth and Ronald at school. The family also employed a general servant.
On 28th April 1904 Kenneth’s brother, Douglas boarded SS Bavarian, and departed from Liverpool to Montreal, Canada. He was working as a labourer.
Kenneth’s mother Edith died in the 4th quarter of 1909 in Bristol.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at “Ivanhoe” in Shirehampton. The widowed Malcolm was a Baptist Minister. Of his children: Malcolm Jnr. was a theological student and Muriel with Kenneth were students. They were looked after by a general domestic servant. The household further comprised of three visitors: Bonar’s brothers who were scholars born in Rome, Italy. The house had eight rooms.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Kenneth’s maternal grandparents Alfred and Sarah lived at Coombe Lea, Cliftonville, Dorking, Surrey. Alfred was a retired civil servant. The couple was looked after by a general domestic servant. The house had eight rooms.
On 2nd October 1912 Kenneth boarded SS Royal George, and departed from Bristol to Montreal. He arrived in Montreal on 10th October 1912. At this time he was working as a clerk.
Kenneth enlisted on 26th January 1916 in Edmonton, Canada into the ‘B’ Company, the 8th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). He was a Private with regimental number 467577.
Prior to his enlistment Kenneth lived at Galiano Island, British Columbia and was working as a farmer. Kenneth was 5 feet and 10 inches tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He was a Baptist.
Kenneth Thomson was killed in an action on the 26th of September 1916 in Vimy, France. He was previously reported wounded, believed missing. He was buried in the field.
His brother, Private Angus Morley Thomson, of the 29th Battalion the Canadian Infantry, was also killed in an action on the 26th of September in France. He was buried in the field.
The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser dated the 2nd of January 1917 reads: “Rev. Malcolm M. Thomson, Minister of Castlegate Baptist Church, Berwick, has been notified that his 4th son, Pte. Kenneth F. Thomson, Canadians, has been killed in action on 19th [died on the 26th] Sept. His 3rd son, Pte. Angus M. Thomson, Canadians, was killed in action about the same date in France.”
Kenneth is commemorated together with his brother Angus on the Vimy Memorial in France. Kenneth is also commemorated on page 173 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
His particulars were sent to his sister Winifred Best of Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada.
By 1922 Kenneth’s father Malcolm moved to Dorking. The 1922 to the 1930 Surrey, England Electoral Registers read that he lived at 3 Clifton Terrace, Cliftonville, Dorking.
Malcolm Thomson died in the 2nd quarter of 1932 in Dorking. He was buried on 10th June 1932 in Dorking Cemetery. He was 91 years old.
| Born | Guilsborough, Northamptonshire | |
| Son of | Rev Malcolm McMillan Thomson and Edith Morley (nee Fletcher) Thomson of Dorking | |
| Brother of | Douglas MacDonald 1881-1948; Winifred Edith 1884-1975; Malcolm Macmillan 1885-1984; Muriel Ethelwyn 1890-1978; Angus Morley 1887-1916; Ronald Macgregor 1896-1985). | |
| Regiment | ‘B’ Company, 8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) | |
| Number | 467577 | |
| Date of Death | 26th September 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Vimy, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 21 | |
| Memorial | Vimy Memorial, France |
