Private James Thompson, R.I.R of Kirkistown, killed at the Somme, aged 20

With the Battle of the Somme commemorations next week, I thought this would be a relevant poem to post here. As far as I know he was my grandfather's cousin.

In Loving Memory of our Dear Son
Private James Thompson, R.I.R of Kirkistown

Who was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme at Thiepval
on 1st July 1916, aged 20 years
“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” -
John 13 v 7

A loved one has been called away
He’s in our midst no more
In a land afar his body lies
Far from his native shore

He bade us all a last farewell
A happy brave “Good-bye”
And with the gallant few went forth
To suffer and to die

Upon the first day of July
Amidst the shot and shell
‘Twas in the battle of the Somme
He in the conflict fell

What anguish fills each fainting heart
And many cheeks grow pale
And in that sorrow-stricken home
How many mourn and wail

None in that home shall e’er forget
The one so bright and fair
Who young in years were called away
Now sits a vacant chair

No one was near when in that hour
He breathed his latest breath
But Jesus led him gently on
Thro’ the dark vale of death

He answered not the roll call here
But in that world so fair
When Jesus calls the roll above
He’ll not be missing there

We know ‘twas in that solemn hour
His spirit took its flight
To dwell with God above the skies
In realms of love and light

Oh, sorrow not, but cast your care
On Christ, the Unfailing One,
Who ever doeth all things well
And say “Thy will be done”

Let this a warning be to all
To cease their sinful strife
Thy soul may be required of thee
Escape thou for the life

Oh, be prepared to meet thy God
This warning he doth give
Consider now your latter end
Believe and thou shall live

And then, where parting is unknown,
All sorrow shall be o’er
For strife and conflict never come
On yonder happy shore.


Note: according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the memorial of rifleman James Thompson of the Royal Irish Rifles (A Company, 13th Battalion) is at Thiepval, Pier and Face 15A and 15B. His parents are recorded as William and Margaret Thompson, Kirkistown, Kirkcubbin.

Some of David Martin's Photographs

With thanks to the Newtownards Chronicle and the Newtownards Spectator for the publicity this week.
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Press Release:

Cloughey Lifeboat photographs discovered!

The recent publication of the book “William Thompson - Low Country Poems” has unearthed yet more Ards Peninsula lifeboat history! David Martin of Calhame Road in Cloughey was amazed to see picture of himself on page 58 of the book – he was the driver of the tractor which towed the lifeboat down to the water when she was being launched. So David got in touch with John Thompson (the poet’s son), and they met up – David brought with him an amazing collection of rare photographs of the Cloughey lifeboats and their many crews.

David worked with the Cloughey lifeboat for 20 years, up until the service was closed down in 1966. Ever since then he has assembled a wonderful photographic archive, and he knew many of the people who feature in the photographs in the book.

A free copy of the book has been donated to the library of every school in the Ards Peninsula. The Thompson family would be delighted to hear from anyone who has information about the poems and the Cloughey lifeboat.

Some of David’s photographs can now be seen on the project’s website http://.www.williamthompsonpoems.blogspot.com

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John Thompson and David Martin looking at some of the photographs, in John's kitchen in Portavogie, Saturday 5th April 2008:


Clipping from the Belfast News Letter, Thursday June 19, 1952. The Constance Calverley arrives at Cloughey:


The official launch of the Constance Calverley, August 1952:


The official launch of the Constance Calverley, August 1952:


The Constance Calverley on her way to the stricken Princess Victoria, January 1953:


The Constance Calverley at Belfast City Hall, May 1955, as part of a fundraiser for "Lifeboat Week":


David Martin drives the tractor, circa 1960:


After meeting David and taking the photos, Jacob (my son) and I went down to the memorial to the Cloughey Lifeboat, at Cloughey car park on the sand dunes:


Close-up of Jacob by the memorial:


These are just a few of the many photographs in David's collection; thanks to him for getting in touch with us and sharing them. David owns the copyright on all of his photographs and they must not be reproduced without his permission.

Three of the original booklets

Here are the scanned covers of three of William's poetry booklets, which he sold door-to-door around the Ards Peninsula to raise money for the Cloughey lifeboat. These were kindly donated by Bertie Kelly of Portavogie who had kept them since he was a boy.

The Book is Launched!

Pic of Glen and me, with Emma Gibson, Fundraising Manager of RNLI and two of the Donaghadee lifeboat crew. Simon from Harrison Photography took this shot a few Fridays ago.

This will be sent to the press later this week, so keep an eye on the local papers!

We're also sending a free copy to every school on the Peninsula - hopefully some of them might run a lifeboat-related competition, which the RNLI have agreed to help with and judge.

The Book's on Blue Peter!

BBC TV were in touch with Glen a few weeks ago for copyright permission to read extracts from the book on the tv show. It's already on Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere's 4th March 08 video blog entry! Click here to see the short clip - it even mentions Glen's kids Lucy and Evan - it was them that sent the book to Blue Peter in the first place!

Nancy Bryson - "Heroine of the Princess Victoria"

William wrote some poems about the sinking of the Princess Victoria , which sank on 31st January 1953, with 133 lives lost - the worst maritime disaster in the UK since World War 2. (There was a memorial service held at Larne last week to mark the 55th anniversary of the sinking).

The photo here is by Phillip Byrne, and shows the Princess Victoria monument at Larne, taken on the day of the memorial service

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Heroine of the Princess Victoria

It was a day of tragedy near Ulster’s lovely shore,
When many hoped to see the land, saw it again no more,
For precious lives were lost upon that tragic day -
Upon a wild and stormy sea where death alone held sway.

The “Princess Victoria” left Stranraer for dear old Ireland,
Her Captain was James Ferguson, who then was in command.
On leaving fair Lough Ryan to cross the sea to Larne
This noble vessel from the seas soon came to grief and harm.

The tempest raged on fiercely, there were snow blizzards, too,
The vessel soon heeled over and she was hid from view;
Her radio operator sent his message far and near,
While those on board the doomed ship were all distraught with fear.

There was a lady missionary on board the ship that day
Intent on visiting Erin to enjoy a pleasant stay;
Ere she returned to Africa’s land, where for twenty years or more
She laboured for the Lord, ere she saw her native shore.

Her name was Nancy Bryson, and she lost her life that day,
Her body was recovered from the waters of the bay –
Identified, and laid to rest, her labours at an end,
A ministering angel on that ship, the little children’s friend.

The last few hours of her life were gladly given o’er
In bringing consolation to hearts now sad and sore;
She spoke of Jesus and His love, and all His power to save,
She told the tale of heaven and home, and life beyond the grave.

As Nancy Bryson spoke those words to many a troubled heart
Who soon would bid each one farewell, as death must soon them part,
She saw the power of Jesus’ name, to calm and bring relief
To troubled hearts in sorrow, and in the hour of grief.

As Nancy Bryson told the tale of Jesus’ wondrous love
We know that many passed that day into the home above.
Where there is no more sorrow, no parting, and no sea,
Upon whose shore no storm will beat through all Eternity.

Tho’ Nancy Bryson has passed on, ‘tis true she speaketh still,
Her fame has gone through all the world, and surely ever will.
God had her there on purpose, upon that ship that day,
To point the soul to Jesus, the true and living way.

The husband and the children, though parted from her here,
Now miss her tender presence, her words of hope and cheer;
But in God’s happy heaven, where partings all are o’er
The death divided shall clasp hands, where death divides no more.

Dear Nancy Bryson feared not death upon the ocean wave,
Her trust was in the Saviour, who triumphed o’er the grave;
Her mind was kept in perfect peace, until her work was done –
The “Princess Victoria” heroine, if ever there was one.

The lifeboatmen were all intent and eager for to save,
Yet in spite of all their efforts many found a watery grave:
From Cloughey and Portpatrick, and the village of the ‘Dee,
These Coxswains braved the terrors of that wild, tempestuous sea.

My simple tale has now been told of Nancy Bryson’s fame,
So that your trust, dear reader, may be in Jesus’ name;
And when our day is ended, and life’s short voyage o’er,
We’ll anchor in that haven where tempests howl no more.

Her name was missing from the list of those saved from the sea,
But in the Book of Life ‘tis found, “Saved for Eternity”.
This noble woman was the Lord’s, in life, as well as death,
And sought to comfort all on board until her latest breath.

This tragedy of the sea has led to a Newtownards Flag Day,
So support the Institution and support it generously.
We have two Lifeboat Stations, one in Cloughey and the ‘Dee –
They give their service freely, these heroes of the sea.

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You can view stills and watch a video clip of the Pathé News footage of the scenes at Donaghadee harbour, during the rescue operation, here . You can download a free 2 minute preview clip of survivors on the quayside, and also of some bodies being brought ashore on the lifeboat.

History of the Cloughey Lifeboat Station

William's poems were sold to raise money for the new lifeboat at Cloughey. Here's a history of the Cloughey lifeboat, kindly supplied by the RNLI. (copyright on this article belongs to the RNLI):

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The Graveyard of the East Coast
Station Historical Notes
Cloughey, Co Down (1885-1965)
Cloughey-Portavogie, Co Down (1965-1981)

• The Station was established by the Institution in 1885.

• The meaning of the word "Cloughey" is "The Stony Place" and this rightly describes the coastline around the bay which is composed of rough and jagged rocks which have claimed many a gallant ship and crew. The shore from Ballyhalbert to Millisle has often been referred to as "the graveyard of the east coast".

• Cloughey lifeboat coxswains are always Young! Every coxswain since the establishment of the station in 1885 until George Young reverted to Motor Mechanic in 1954 was a Young (except for the period 1916-1919).

• 1908 - On 14 November the lifeboat rescued the crew of 26 of the barque Croisset of Rouen. The French Government awarded Gold Medals to the coxswain and the chief officer of coastguard, Silver Medals to the rest of the crew, and an Aneroid Barometer to the Honorary Secretary (Mr J McMullan).

•1913 - Decided that the practice of using horses be discontinued and that in future the boat and her carriage be transported by means of manual labour.

•1924 - Bronze Medal awarded to Acting Coxswain Andrew Young for the rescue of 5 persons from the Brig Helgoland which had run ashore on 11 January 1924. The coxswain of the lifeboat was away from the station; the second coxswain, his brother, was dying but a third doctor Andrew, left his brother's bedside to take charge of the lifeboat. The Helgoland had sunk and the crew were in the rigging. She lay surrounded by rocks and the night was very dark. There was a strong SSE gale and showers of sleet and hail. Andrew Young found on his return that his brother had died two hours after the lifeboat had been launched.

•1937 - A fire at the building yard of Messrs Groves & Guttridge, Cowes, destroyed a new lifeboat for Cloughey that was waiting to be shipped to her station.

•1939 - On 9 May the s.s. Arantzazu-Mendi of Bilbao went aground on Butter Paddy Shoals outside Kearney Point. Efforts were made to salve her and on 17 June there was a salvage party on board when the weather changed. Seas 15ft high were breaking over the steamer and were sweeping clean over her after part from which everything movable had been swept away. The 11 men on board were on the fore deck knee deep in water. For this rescue of the 11 men, Coxswain Robert Young was awarded the Silver Medal and Motor Mechanic George Young the Bronze Medal.

•1950 - Two ex-coxswains, Andrew Young (80) and his brother John (75), were drowned when their fishing coble Ricia was lost on 25 May.

• Coxswain George Young was accorded the Vellum Thanks for the rescue of the crew of seven of the South Rock light-vessel on 3 February.

•1955 - Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Coxswain Walter Semple for the rescue of 11 persons from the Norwegian m.v. Roskva on 21 January.

•1962 - Coxswain Walter Semple was awarded the Bronze Medal for the rescue of five people from the Dutch m.v. Frida Blokzul on 7 March.

•1965 - ON 857 stationed at Portavogie on 26 November and ON 902 stationed at Cloughey was withdrawn and the station closed.

•1978 - Lifeboat station closed from 26 October because of extensive redevelopment at Portavogie Harbour. Lifeboat ON 857 stored at Robertson's Yard, Sandbank.

•1981 - Station permanently closed in July.

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Coxswains
Frank Young 1885-1890

John Young (1) Oct 1890-18/4/06 (Brother of Frank above)

Robert Young 19/4/06-9/10/1916 (Brother of Frank and John above)

Hugh Palmer 10/10/16-3/10/19

John Young (2) 17/10/19-30/10/27 (Son of John Young (1))

Andrew Young 25/11/27-31/12/35 (Brother of John (2))

Robert Young 1/1/36-29/8/49 (Nephew of John (1))

George Young 30/8/49-30/6/54 (Grandson of John (1))

Walter Semple 1/6/54-31/3/66

John Donnan 1/4/66-23/2/79

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Lifeboats

Faith (1885 - 1906) 54 lives rescued
John (1906 - 1931) 131 lives rescued
William Maynard (1931 - 1939) 36 lives rescued
Herbert John (1939 - 1952) 67 lives rescued
Constance Calverley (1952 - 1965) 21 lives rescued - this was the lifeboat William's poems helped to fund
Glencoe Glasgow (1965 - 1978) 27 lives rescued

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