General Charles William Thompson


Charles William Thompson was the second son of General Thomas Perronet Thompson and Anne Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev Thomas Barker of York. He was born in Bombay in 1815. Before entering the army proper he served in Spain in the British Legion under Sir de Lacy Evans. He fought at Arlaban on 3 consecutive days in Jan 1835, at Hernani on 30 Aug, and at San Sebastian on 5 May 1836 where he was wounded in the hip and hand. For his services he was made a Knight first class of the Order of San Fernando.

When serving with the 14th Light Dragoons he was in the charge at Ramnuggur, commanded a squadron at Chillianwallah, and Goojerat. He was at the surrender of the Sikhs, the action at Attock and the pursuit of the Afghans to Peshawar in April 1849. In retirement he lived for a while at Dover, then Wethersfield Place, Essex.' He was a Justice of the Peace there. Both he and his father had served actively in the 14th Light Dragoons and he was pleased to be their Colonel. He was commanding officer of the 7th Dragoon Guards for 10 years and one of his sons, also called Charles William Thompson, became the CO of the 7th Dragoon Guards in 1903.' He asked to be buried in his old military cloak which he shared with a brother officer when bivouacking at Goojerat. He was married twice, his first wife dying in 1868. His second Margaret wife survived him until 1933. He had numerous children, one of whom was a captain in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (the old 81st).' In 1896 the General died and his body was carried by a detachment of troopers from the 7th Dragoon Guards; he was buried at St Mary Magdelene, Wethersfield, Braintree District.

1815 Born on 21 Nov
1835 British Legion in Spain
1836 Ensign in 81st Regiment
1841 Lieutenant in 14th Light Dragoons
1848 Captain
1849 Exchanged to 7th Dragoon Guards
1855 Major
1857 Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 7DG
1862 Colonel
1868 His first wife died
1868 Major-General. Retired on half pay
1880 Lieutenant-General and awarded the good service pension.
1881 Honorary General
1882 Colonel of 14th Hussars, 1 May
1896 Died on 3 October


Commanding Officers | Regimental details


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by Stephen Luscombe