John was born on August 4th, 1884 at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His occupation is listed as that of a cooper and he had been with the 48th Highlanders pipe band for a number of years.
John mobilized with the 48th Highlanders at Toronto on August 12th, 1914; enlisting with the 15th Battalion at Valcartier on September 18th, 1914. He was assigned to the Pipe Band and served as Corporal Piper. Like Pipe Sergeant Newlands and Pipe Major Keith, he was fairly well known.
At the time of joining, he was 30 years old and 1 month, below average height at 5’ 3.5” and weighing 165 lb. He was noted as having a sallow complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair.
Service:
1914-09-22: Promoted to Cpl
10-02/14: Sailed with the 15th Battalion as part of the First Canadian Contingent aboard SS Megantic, from Quebec City to Devonport. Trained at Lark Hill, Salisbury Plain
1915-02-11/15: Proceeded from Avonmouth, England to St Nazaire, France aboard the SS Mount Temple.
March 27th, 1915 turned out to be a very bad day for the 15th Pipe Band.
John reported sick to the 3rd Field Ambulance earlier that day, while later that evening, Piper Millar and L/Sergeant Rose were brought in to the same unit after being shot by a sentry.
At 3rd Field Ambulance, Thompson was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. With his condition deteriorating rapidly, he died the following day. According to an obituary in the Toronto Telegram, his funeral was conducted by none other than Canon Frederick George Scott. Although buried in a registered and marked grave at Estaires, his grave was lost, and he is remembered with a special memorial marker today.
John is commemorated in the First World War Book of Remembrance, pg. 39.
