Leatherhead War Memorials: Frank Richard James Thompson

Town Memorial World War II

King's Royal Rifle Corps

Further research is necessary to establish what may be known of the circumstances of Frank Thompson's death.

The 26th October 1942 was the fourth day of the Battle of El Alamein. General Montgomery halted the attack against Rommel's forces to regroup his forces. Rommel freshly back from Germany, began quick counterthrusts, moving the 21st Panzer and Ariete Divisions up from the south. Convinced that the main Allied attack would come along the coast, he moved the 15th Panzer there to counter it, with the 90th Light as support.

Frank Thompson lived with his parents at what was then 156 Kingston Road, near the corner with Aperdele Road. He was at Leatherhead Secondary School and it is believed he worked at Moulds, an emporium in Leatherhead High Street. Frank loved reading and was very quiet person. His nephew, Frank Reginald Thompson, born in December 1943, was named after him and Frank's brother Frederick Reginald Thompson who was killed on 28th October 1943.¹

Rifleman THOMPSON, Frank Richard James: 6094969: Age 26 Regiment: King's Royal Rifle Corps Unit Text: 11th (1st Bn. The Queen's Westminsters) Bn Date of Death: 26/10/1942 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thompson, of Leatherhead, Surrey. His brother, Frederick Reginald Thompson, also fell. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 68. Cemetery: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL image via Mrs Edith Thompson, sister-in-law

Sources
1. Mrs Edith Thompson, sister in law, Great Bookham

Links
The Queen's Westminsters

the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of his name on the Alamein Memorial, and of any recollections of him

last updated 27 Sep 2004