b. 1824 Edinburgh, Scotland. d. 29/03/1880 Perth, Scotland.
Alexander Thompson (1824-1880) was born in Tollbooth, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1824. Little is known about his life sadly, though he did enlist with the 42nd Regiment of Foot (later The Black Watch) in 1842. He would serve in the Crimean War, and then later in the Indian Mutiny, where he would be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the assault on Fort Ruhya on 15th April 1858.
Alexander Thompson VC
During the assault, Lieutenant Willoughby of the 4th Regiment of Foot was hit and mortally wounded. He was lying in a ditch and Captain William Café (later VC) led a small party of men including Alexander Thompson in going to the aid of Willoughby. They managed to retrieve Willoughby and started to bring him to safety. One of the Privates, Spence was hit, and the others took over, and got him back.
Thompson’s citation published on 27th May 1859 was full of errors sadly. It stated that he had helped rescue a Captain Groves, and also that the assault on Fort Ruhya was on the 10th April, not the 15th. Thompson would receive his medal from Brigadier General Sir Robert Walpole at a parade on 7th April 1860 at Bareilly. He retired from the Army two years later, and returned to his native Scotland. He died in Perth on 29th March 1880 at his home in 2, Barrack Street. He was buried in Wellshill Cemetery in Perth. His medals are held by the Black Watch Museum, Perth.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BLACK WATCH MUSEUM, PERTH, SCOTLAND.
BURIAL PLACE: WELLSHILL CEMETERY, PERTH, SCOTLAND.
Grave 2348.
Acknowledgement:
Thomas Stewart – Images of the Thompson VC Medal Group and the reverse of his VC Medal at the Black Watch Museum, Perth.