Ralph Thompson (footballer) facts for kids
Ralph Motson Thompson (1892 – 1 July 1916) was an English amateur footballer. He played as an "outside left" (a type of forward player) for Grimsby Town in the Football League. Sadly, he died while serving his country during World War I.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ralph Motson Thompson | ||
| Date of birth | 1892 | ||
| Place of birth | Grimsby, England | ||
| Date of death | 1 July 1916 (aged 23–24) | ||
| Place of death | near Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France | ||
| Position(s) | Outside left | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| George Street Wesleyans | |||
| Grimsby Rovers | |||
| Grimsby St John's | |||
| Grimsby Rovers | |||
| Heycroft Rovers | |||
| 1913–1914 | Grimsby Town | 12 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ralph Thompson's Life Story
Early Life and Family
Ralph Thompson was born in Grimsby, England, in 1892. Football was a big part of his family. His father, John Thompson, was the chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club in 1905 and 1906. Ralph's brother, Albert, also played for the same club.
Ralph went to Silcoates School for his education. In 1911, he was training to become an auctioneer. An auctioneer is someone who sells things at public sales.
Playing Football
Ralph was a talented amateur footballer. He played for several local clubs before joining Grimsby Town. He played as an "outside left," which is a forward position on the football field. He played 12 games for Grimsby Town during the 1913–1914 season.
Serving His Country
Just six weeks after World War I began, Ralph decided to join the army. He enlisted as a private in the Lincolnshire Regiment on September 17, 1914. He was part of a special group of soldiers from Grimsby, known as the "Grimsby Chums."
In 1916, Ralph was fighting in France during the Battle of the Somme. This was one of the largest and deadliest battles of the war. On the very first day of the battle, July 1, 1916, Ralph was wounded. He was hit in the neck, arm, and spine during an attack near a place called Ovillers-la-Boisselle.
Sadly, Ralph could not be rescued from the battlefield. He was later found and buried. Ralph Thompson is remembered at the Thiepval Memorial in France. This memorial honors soldiers who died in the Somme area and have no known grave.
