Lance/Corporal Fred Thompson
240905 2nd East Lancashire Regiment (A Coy.)
Born 29th April 1887 in Burnley
Lived at 46 Travis Street
Prisoner of War 27th May 1918 at Berry au Bac
Married to Rosamund Thompson

Having researched great uncles who died in the war, I have for some years been trying to research my Granddad who survived the war Fred Thompson (Senior).
I have never been able to find any record or mention of him anywhere. I spent a day at Fullwood Barracks and 2 days in Burnley Library. He is nowhere to be found. It’s as if he never existed.
He never talked to my dad about the war. He would just say “you don’t want to know lad”. We have been told of many exploits by family and friends, but nothing concrete. It was said that he had a tin with his medals in, but this was stolen in a burglary. A few years back an old photo emerged when an aunt, his eldest daughter died. It shows him in an East Lanc’s uniform.
The Red Cross have put POW records on line for the Centenary Commemorations and I found him. If you look at the attached there is his POW card and details in 3 ledgers.

(Courtesy of David Thompson)

Original P.O.W Records (Courtesy of Brian Thompson)