Walter Douglas Thomson1

M, #7149, b. 5 January 1890, d. 18 September 1971
FatherDavid Thomson1 d. 27 Sep 1919
MotherMary Ann Newell1 b. 16 Feb 1851, d. 16 May 1940
Relationship1st cousin 3 times removed of Keith Graham Bassett
Last Edited22 Sep 2018
Birth*5 January 1890 Church Hill, Gawler, SA1 
Marriage*8 January 1910 Registry Office, Adelaide, SA, Australia;Bride=Lucy Sophia May Forby2 
Death of Father27 September 1919 Gawler Oval, Gawler, SA, Australia;
A painfully sudden death occurred on Saturday, when Mr. David Thomson collapsed while watching the football match between the Central and College teams, on the Gawler Oval. Mr. Thomson was a keen enthusiast of football, and in the third quarter he became greatly excited over the struggle. He was then observed to stagger and go behind the tool house, and immediately dropped dead. The deceased, who was 67 years of age, had been suffering from heart trouble, and his death was expected at any minute as latterly he had had several severe heart attacks. The remains were interred in the Willaston Cemetery on Monday afternoon, when a large gathering paid tribute to his memory. The burial service was read by the Rev. Frew Brown, also the service of the Foresters' and Athenian Lodges. The Central footballers and the Moulders' Union also appeared in body as a mark of respect to the deceased. Mr. Thomson was the second son of the late Mr. David Thomson, founder of the Eagle Foundry, and brother of Messrs. Daniel, Robert K., John, and James. His widow, 3 sons, and 4 daughters survive. Mr. Thomson did not take great interest in public affairs, but was a most enthusiastic worker in the interests of Friendly Societies, and was closely associated with the Foresters' Order and the Athenian lodge of Oddfellows. He, too, worked for the benefit of his fellow craftsmen, the ironmoulders, and was in office of the local Moulders' Union. For some years Mr. Thomson has lived a retired life in his home on Church Hill. He was born in Glasgow in 1852 and four years later sailed with his parents for South Australia.;Principal=David Thomson3 
Death of Mother16 May 1940 "Glasgow Cottage", Jerningham Street, Gawler, SA, Australia;
MRS MARY ANN THOMSON.
Born in the district, at Jacob's Creek (between Rowlands Flat and Tanunda) practically 90 years ago, and living in the same house for 56 years, Mrs. Mary Ann (Gran.) Thomson, widow of the late Mr. David Thomson, died at her residence "'Glasgow Cottage,'' Jerningham street, Gawler, on Thursday, May 16th.- Mrs. Thomson was born in 1851, her parents' name being Newell, and with her death passes out the last of that old pioneer family. Childhood days were spent at Lyndoch, and her parents came to Gawler when she was 11 years of age. 'Gran.' as she was affectionately known, worked for several families in her young days, one in particular being that of Mr. James Dawson, then proprietor of the Albion flour mills. About 70 years ago she married
David Thomson, son of the founder of Eagle Foundry, King street, her husband predeceasing her by 20 years. From then on, she lived practically alone in her cottage, making periodical visits to her family. About 12 months ago her daughter May (Mrs. Sid. Wills) took up her residence with
her, at the request of the family, although the old lady sturdily maintained her independence of life and spirit. Neighbours knew the tap of her stick on the roadway in the evening hours as she made her way to or from the many homes she visited. Mrs. Thomson did not take any active part in public affairs, but she did pay tribute to her church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, and in the latter days figured prominently in the affairs of the Gawler Pensioners' Society. It was only a fortnight ago that she was present at the birthday gathering of the society and cut the cake. She kept intelligent interest in all doings for the well-being and betterment of the town, and never missed her vote on an election. Her occupation of latter years was knitting, and until a month ago she worked on socks for the Red Cross and Comforts fund for soldiers in the present war. She was
devoted to her family and did a lot of correspondence to the scattered members. The issue was 10, of whom six survive, being — Mrs. J. Olafsen (Ethel), Gawler South; Mrs Sid. Wills (May), Jerningham street; Mrs. F. Evers (Flo.), Broken Hill; ex-Cr. A. D. Thomson, Willaston; W. P. Thomson, Church Hill; and W.D. (Wally) Thomson, of Willoughby, Sydney. Another daughter, Mrs. Hammer, recently predeceased her mother. There are 25 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. The remains were interred in the Willaston cemetery on Saturday afternoon, when Rev. A. E. Page, B.A., BD., officiated at the grave. There was a big collection of floral tributes.
On Sunday evening special mention was made in St Andrew's church of the passing of the church's oldest member, with an association of over 70 years. The Rev. A. E. Page based his remarks on Hebrews 13.14: For have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. At the conclu sion of the service, the organist, Mrs. R. G. Poole, played the Scottish Lament, 'Flowers o' the Forest.';Principal=Mary Ann Newell4 
Death*18 September 1971 Burwood, NSW, Australia;
THOMSON. Walter Douglas. —September 18, 1971, at hospital, of 17 Wyalong Street, Willoughby, dearly loved husband of Lucy Thomson, Oswald, May, Brian, Phyllis (deceased), dear father-in-law of Florence, Henry (deceased) and Gladys, beloved grandfather of Jenny and James, Carol and Tony, Irene and Douglas, Heather and Bill, Lorraine and John, fond great-grandpa of Wendy, Scott, David, Paul, Adam, Robert and Glen, aged 81 years. Privately cremated 21st instant.5,6 

Family

Lucy Sophia May Forby
Children

Citations

  1. [S1696] Findmypast South Australia Births 1842-1928 Transcription, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Walter Douglas Thomson 1890.
  2. [S1655] Findmypast South Australia Marriages 1842-1937 Transcription, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Walter Douglas Thomson & Lucy Sophia May Forby 1910.
  3. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Bunyip, Friday, October 3, 1919.
  4. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Bunyip, Friday, May 24, 1940.
  5. [S1599] The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday, September 22, 1971.
  6. [S1473] NSW Death Indexes, 60615/1971 Walter Douglas Thomson.
  7. [S1696] Findmypast South Australia Births 1842-1928 Transcription, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Oswald Archibald Walter Thomson 1910.
  8. [S1696] Findmypast South Australia Births 1842-1928 Transcription, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Priscilla Evelyn May Thomson 1912.