| James Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1830 Yoxall, Staffordshire |
| Died | 5 December 1891 (aged 61) Walsall, England |
| Buried at | Queen Street Cemetery, Walsall |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 60th Rifles |
| Battles/wars | Indian Mutiny |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
(William) James Thompson VC (1830 – 5 December 1891) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Thompson was about 27 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 9 July 1857 at Delhi, British India [1]
For gallant conduct in saving the life of his captain (Captain Wilton), on the 9th of July, 1857, by dashing forward to his relief, when that officer was surrounded by a party of Ghazees, who made a sudden rush on him, from a serai - and killing two of them before further assistance could reach. Also recommended for conspicuous conduct throughout the siege.[2]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester, England. In December 2009, a memorial plaque to Thompson and two other recipients of the Victoria Cross, John Henry Carless and Charles George Bonner, was unveiled at the Town Hall in Walsall, England.[3]
There is a small memorial plaque in St Peter's Church, Yoxall, Staffordshire. It reads:
Commemorating the valiant deeds of JAMES THOMPSON who was born in Yoxall in 1833. Served in the 1st Battalion 60th Rifles and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1857 for his gallant conduct during the Indian Mutiny.