| Robert Thompson was the son of Thomas and Matilda Thompson. Thomas Thompson and Matilda McKee were married on 23rd March 1893 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| According to GRONI, Robert was born in Magherafelt on 13th August 1895. He was the second of three sons.
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| Family: Thomas Thompson, Matilda Thompson, John Thompson (born 4th January 1894, Magherafelt), Robert Thompson (born 13th August 1895, Magherafelt), William Thompson (born 31st May 1898, Cookstown).
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| The 1901 census does not list Robert as living with family at Drumshanbo Glebe, Killeenan, County Tyrone. He would have been around 6 years old. Thomas was a coachman.
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| The 1901 census lists Robert James as age 5, living with his grandparents at house 25 in Killinchy, County Down. His birthplace is given as Derry.
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| The 1911 census does not list Robert as living with family in Killinchy, County Down. His father was still working as a coachman.
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| The 1911 census lists Robert as age 15, living with his grandparents at house 29 in Killinchy. Robert was a farm labourer. His birthplace is given as County Derry.
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| Robert James Thompson enlisted in Downpatrick and served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (No. 18823).
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| Private Thompson later transferred to the 108th Company Machine Gun Corps (No. 17774).
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| Private Robert Thompson was seriously wounded on the first day of the Somme offensive and was taken to a field ambulance at Warloy Baillon.
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| Private Robert Thompson died of his wounds the following day on Sunday 2nd July 1916. He was twenty years old.
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| In his will James left all to his mother.
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| Last Will and Testament of Private Robert Thompson dated 2nd October 1915:
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| In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother, Mrs T Thompson, Church Quarter, Dundonald, Belfast, County Down, Ireland. Signed by me at Bordon, Hampshire on 2nd October 1915. 18823 Rifleman R Thompson, A Company, 13th Battalion R.I.R attached to Headquarters 108 Brigade.
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| Private Thompson was interred in Warloy Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
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| The grave inscription reads: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
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| Private Robert Thompson is commemorated on the Killinchy Parish Church of Ireland WW1 Roll of Honour.
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| The CWGC record Private Robert Thompson as the son of the late Thomas and Matilda Thompson of Dundonald, County Down.
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| There is no evidence to suggest Robert Thompson ever lived in the Cookstown area.
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