India General Service Medal 1936-39. With clasp 'North West Frontier 1937-39' (5771706 Pte. W. Thompson. R. Norf. R.)

A D-Day casualty

Killed-in-Action D-Day, 6 June 1944: Lance-Corporal William Thompson 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment is confirmed as 'Killed-in-Action' in Normandy on the Sword Beach Sector during the historic landings that marked the start of the campaign for the 'Liberation of Europe'. Private Thompson was Killed-inAction during the assault on the 'Hillman' defensive strongpoint

At the time William earned his Indian General Service Medal, he was only 17 years of age, and was 24 years of age when he was 'Killed-in-Action'

On D-Day, 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment, landed on Red Queen Beach, the left flank of Sword Beach. The battalion progressed up the beach and engaged the 736th Grenadier Regiment at the fortified position on Periers Ridge codenamed 'Hillman Fortress'. In this attack the 1st Battalion suffered heavy casualties.

In total, on D-Day, 1/Royal Norfolk, suffered the loss of 116 'All-Ranks' who were Killed-in-Action, or Died-of-Wounds on that fateful day. A granite regimental memorial commemorating the 116 x 'All-Ranks' of the regiment is located on Route de Colleville between Colleville-Montgomery and Biéville-Beuville

The body of William Thompson was initially buried near where he had fallen at a temporary resting place in a cemetery located at Colle-ville-sur-Orne, Normandy, France. After the Victory in Europe, William's bodily remains were re-interred

The life and supreme sacrifice of Lance-Corporal William Thompson, is now commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at the CWGC Ranville Cemetery, located in Normandy, France, where his bodily remains lie buried. His headstone engraved with his service details and regimental badge, has the additional poignant inscription:

Quote,

A SMILING FACE ALWAYS CONTENT LOVED AND RESPECTED WHEREVER HE WENT

Unquote.

William Thompson, a native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England, was the husband of Sarah Thompson, and son of Harry Lathan Thompson and Georgina Thompson (who lived at was a native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England. He was also

Medal(s) & clasp verification: Private Thompson is confirmed entitled to the IGS 1936 and clasp per the below following referenced campaign medal roll of 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment, Although the campaign medal rolls for the British Army in the Second World War are not yet in the public domain, Private Thompson would also have qualified for and been entitled to the below listed four x un-named campaign medals for his services 1939-1945:

- IGS 1936 Medal with clasp: WO 100/498. The medal roll compiled & signed at, Delhi Cantonment, India, 25 January 1939

Although the Second World War campaign medal rolls for the British Army are not currently in the public domain, William Thompson, would also have qualified for, and been entitled to the below following un-named campaign medals for his services 1939-45:

- The 1939-45 Star. No clasp: An automatic award for the fallen
- The France and Germany Star. No clasp: An automatic award for the fallen
- Defence Medal: Awarded for at least 1 year non-operational service in India, or other periods of aggregated service in qualifying non-operational areas
- War Medal: An automatic award for the fallen

An extremely desirable and rare seen officially named campaign medal to a confirmed 'D-Day' beachhead casualty, and participant in one of the most famous actions of recorded world military history

The medal mounted as-worn on its original silk riband. The riband fitted with a twin looped mounting bar with fittings & cotter pin, and as worn in the 'India' style

Condition: About EF

Code: 24256