2lt James Elliott Thomson 1 Newfoundland Regt

[Will O'Brien]

As per CWGC

Name: THOMSON, JAMES ELLIOTT

Initials: J E

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: Royal Newfoundland Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 26

Date of Death: 03/03/1917

Additional information: Son of Charles R. and Mary A. Thomson, of St. John's, Newfoundland.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 2.

Cemetery: SAILLY-SAILLISEL BRITISH CEMETERY

[Will O'Brien]

& the cemetery info

Cemetery: SAILLY-SAILLISEL BRITISH CEMETERY

Country: France

Locality: Somme

Location Information: Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery is 16 kilometres east of Albert and 10 kilometres south of Bapaume. The Cemetery is on the right hand side (direction Peronne) of the N17 just outside of Sailly Saillisel and before Rancourt.

Historical Information: Sailly-Saillisel, standing at the north end of a ridge, was the objective of French attacks in September and October 1916, and was captured on 18 October. The village remained in Allied hands until 24 March 1918 when it was lost during the German advance, but was recaptured by the 18th and 38th (Welsh) Division on 1 September 1918. The cemetery was made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small burial grounds and isolated positions chiefly south and east of the village. The cemetery now contains 765 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 300 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to eight casualties known or believed to be buried among them. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

No. of Identified Casualties: 465

[Will O'Brien]

James Thomson's online MIC index entry can be seen here

It shows he started off as a Ranker before obtaining his commission