Mrs May Lawton later told Jessie Preedy that on Saturday, 28th October 1916 Jack Brewster's family had a letter telling them of Joe's death. One brother went into town and met Janey there, but it was obvious that the Thompson family had had no word of Joe, so this brother waited at the station for many hours to meet William Thompson ("Father" in these letters) on his return from Barrow and broke the news to him. William went home and at first said he had heard that Joe had been wounded, but Jane Thompson ("Mother") immediately wanted to know where he was so that she could visit him; so William had to break the news to her. (The details of this incident caused some confusion as May reported that Jack had met "Uncle Thompson", but that was the name used to refer to William; by that time J Thompson Ray had a motor-bike so would not have been using the train.)
After the war the family were informed that Billie was buried in Plot 1, Row H Grave 13 of the Serre Road Cemetary No 2, Beaumont Hamel & Hebuterne, France. Sarah did visit his grave.
Joe had no known grave. In October 1988 Chris Preedy (Jessie's great grandson) wrote to the War Graves Commission before going to the Battlefields and it was then that the family first knew that Joe's name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France, Pier and Face 6A & 7C. Sally Ashman visited the graves in 1989 and David Preedy visited them in 2002.
It is a strange result of the inevitable chaos of the wartime situation that Billie's fate was uncertain at the time but his body was found and is in a known grave. However Joe's death was observed and his body was buried at the time but the whereabouts of that grave were presumably lost later in the War.
John did not return to France. At the end of the War by which time he had been promoted to Captain, he returned to teaching and for very many years was the Headmaster of Denham School in Bucks. His wounded leg troubled him all his life and he did receive a small invalidity pension.
J. Thompson Ray did join the Army and served in Egypt. Whilst he was away his wife, Janey, carried on his job as a grocery rep and she travelled daily through Cumberland and Westmoreland as well as caring for her mother.
Sarah Thompson joined the then very new Spirella Co. in May 1916. She was the chief organiser for Scotland and then for the whole of the North of England.
Jessie and John Kennaugh brought up their family in Liverpool, but they always maintained very close ties with Whtehaven and they and their daughters spent many holidays in Whitehaven and St Bees. In 1943 John Kennaugh presented a lifeboat to the Whitehaven Sea Scouts. It was wrecked almost immediately on exercise but he arranged for its replacement.
Jane Thompson never recovered from the loss of her two sons. She rarely left the house and was always dressed completely in black, relieved only by a plain gold locket with a photograph of Billie and Joe on either side. Her three sisters visited her practically every day of their lives.
The Thompsons had five granddaughters and Jane lived to see two great granddaughters. She died a few weeks before the birth of John Wood, the first boy to be born into the immediate family for 52 years.
Mary Watson married Henry Lawton the Whitehaven Solicitor. Gus Watson served in the RAF in World War II.
Jennie Braithwaite married Allan Christian of Whitehaven.
After his retirement from Vickers, William spent most of his time cultivating his garden, Janey's garden and an allotment. His constant companion for many years was Janey's dog Badger. Every Friday they would walk across the Loop Road, through the Park and visit the War Memorial, he would take flowers from his garden or greenhouse and sadly read the inscriptions.
Sunday 6 November 2016
W.G. Gill - Monday 6th November 1916
Dear Mrs Ray,
Your letter dated 31st came to hand yesterday. There is no need to thank me for writing to you about poor Joe. He was my dearest chum, and it was because he was on the Gun Section at Aldershot that I am on it now. Unfortunately I cannot write you very detailed particulars because as you know, the censorship is very stiff.
You will have read of the place in the press about a week ago. It may happen that very shortly some of us will be home on leave. In that case when any Whitehaven man comes, he could give you full particulars. Should it be myself I could answer anything you might ask. I may say that I could go to the exact place now where Joe rests. I know you have looked forward eagerly to him getting a leave. That afternoon before he and Wilson were killed, we were speculating on going home together sometime - but it was not to be.
Yes we've had a very hard time since July - walking under heavy shell fire for long distances in the open and trudging through battered trenches where one sunk two or three feet in the thick mud or muddy water at the same time carrying rifle, ammunition &c. I would rather walk 20 miles over a fair road than 20 yards through those trenches again.
It may interest you to know that Joe's life out here was all that could be wished for, and an example for more to follow. His behaviour both in and out of the trenches was admirable. Where possible he and I were always on duty together. We spent many a jolly day together occasionally going on pass. Everyone of the old hands miss both boys very much. I am the only one of the old Battalion left in No 2 platoon except a few on the Bombers, Signaller &c so I am like a stray sheep.
Well I think there is nothing more I can say now, so will conclude, hoping you will find at least a little consolation in knowing he played a true soldier's part up to the end and set a fine example.
I am, Your sincerely, W.G. Gill.
Your letter dated 31st came to hand yesterday. There is no need to thank me for writing to you about poor Joe. He was my dearest chum, and it was because he was on the Gun Section at Aldershot that I am on it now. Unfortunately I cannot write you very detailed particulars because as you know, the censorship is very stiff.
You will have read of the place in the press about a week ago. It may happen that very shortly some of us will be home on leave. In that case when any Whitehaven man comes, he could give you full particulars. Should it be myself I could answer anything you might ask. I may say that I could go to the exact place now where Joe rests. I know you have looked forward eagerly to him getting a leave. That afternoon before he and Wilson were killed, we were speculating on going home together sometime - but it was not to be.
Yes we've had a very hard time since July - walking under heavy shell fire for long distances in the open and trudging through battered trenches where one sunk two or three feet in the thick mud or muddy water at the same time carrying rifle, ammunition &c. I would rather walk 20 miles over a fair road than 20 yards through those trenches again.
It may interest you to know that Joe's life out here was all that could be wished for, and an example for more to follow. His behaviour both in and out of the trenches was admirable. Where possible he and I were always on duty together. We spent many a jolly day together occasionally going on pass. Everyone of the old hands miss both boys very much. I am the only one of the old Battalion left in No 2 platoon except a few on the Bombers, Signaller &c so I am like a stray sheep.
Well I think there is nothing more I can say now, so will conclude, hoping you will find at least a little consolation in knowing he played a true soldier's part up to the end and set a fine example.
I am, Your sincerely, W.G. Gill.
Wednesday 2 November 2016
Syd - undated
Dear Mrs Ray,
I received you letter and was pleased you gave me a few particulars of Joe. I had the Whitehaven News sent this morning and read the account of it. I guessed they had been into it again. It is hard to be killed after the good work they boys have done and were just waiting to be relieved. I know what it's like waiting for relief after a hard battle. It's like the poster that used to be up - "Will they never come?". I am sorry it happened especially for your Mother's sake - that's what made me always feel for Joe. I only wish you had seen him, he did make out a fine young chap.
I don't know what I have felt since I received the news. At first I could hardly believe it. If ever a Battalion has had any hard fighting it is the 8th. I may tell you I've never felt happy since I left it and came to this lot - England's last hope! I would go out tomorrow to the 8th and there are not many of the old boys left - the best of them have gone now.
I hope your Mother will not make herself ill, only it's a hard blow for her as I know how she felt for him. I don't seem to mind what happens now. There are a few young single chaps in Sunny Hill who should be out. I don't mind them not joining, it shows their true spirit, only things should be divided a little, there should be someone from every house, and then all would realise war. It's the people at home who are to be pitied. Now I hope this finds you all in the best of health under the circumstances. Remember me to all.
Your sincere friend Syd.
I received you letter and was pleased you gave me a few particulars of Joe. I had the Whitehaven News sent this morning and read the account of it. I guessed they had been into it again. It is hard to be killed after the good work they boys have done and were just waiting to be relieved. I know what it's like waiting for relief after a hard battle. It's like the poster that used to be up - "Will they never come?". I am sorry it happened especially for your Mother's sake - that's what made me always feel for Joe. I only wish you had seen him, he did make out a fine young chap.
I don't know what I have felt since I received the news. At first I could hardly believe it. If ever a Battalion has had any hard fighting it is the 8th. I may tell you I've never felt happy since I left it and came to this lot - England's last hope! I would go out tomorrow to the 8th and there are not many of the old boys left - the best of them have gone now.
I hope your Mother will not make herself ill, only it's a hard blow for her as I know how she felt for him. I don't seem to mind what happens now. There are a few young single chaps in Sunny Hill who should be out. I don't mind them not joining, it shows their true spirit, only things should be divided a little, there should be someone from every house, and then all would realise war. It's the people at home who are to be pitied. Now I hope this finds you all in the best of health under the circumstances. Remember me to all.
Your sincere friend Syd.
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