Company Sergeant Major 12204 Albert Edward Thompson of the 11th Battalion, Welch Regiment, was born at Swansea on the 26th of September 1880, the son of Samuel Edward Thompson (1852 to 1924) and Susan Alice Hughes (1863 to 1906), of 75, King Edward Rd., Swansea. Susan was four months pregnant when the couple married in April. [The CWGC states that Albert was born at Liverpool and was the husband of Susan Alice Hughes, whereas she was his mother and it was his father who was born at Liverpool.]

The 1881 census records the family at 4, Gorse Lane, Swansea. Samuel, aged 28, was chief librarian to the public, born Liverpool. Susan, aged 19, was also a librarian, born at Leeds, Yorkshire. Albert, aged 6 months is the only child recorded.

The 1891 census finds the family at 75, Gorse Lane. Samuel is still a librarian. Susan is not recorded, presumably absent at the time of the census being taken. Children recorded are Albert, aged 10, Alice, aged 9, and Thomas, aged 7, all born at Swansea. Also present is widowed sister Charlotte Hall and her two daughters Elizabeth and Ethel.

The 1911 census finds the family at 75, King Edward Road, Swansea. Samuel is now a widower and still working for the county library. He and the late Susan had been married for thirty one years and had produced three children, all still alive. Albert is the only one recorded and he was employed as a clerk with the council. Samuel’s sister and her two daughters are still present.

Albert enlisted at Cardiff. He died on the 17th of May, 1915 as a result of shock from internal injuries after being run over by a car.

The Sussex Agricultural Express for the 21st of May 1915 reported on the inquest, noting that Albert had returned to Seaford from Brighton on Sunday night and was walking to the camp along the Chyngton Road when a motor car approached. The car swerved to avoid the deceased but he moved in the same direction and was knocked down. He died at the Seaside Convalescent Home on Monday morning. The driver of the car was totally exonerated from blame and a verdict of accidental death was recorded.