William James Thompson (1904–1971)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2025
William James Thompson (1904-1971) market gardener, labourer, political victim
Birth: 1904 at Manilla, New South Wales, son of native-born parents John Thompson (1880-1957), labourer, and Harriett Martha, née Williams (1883-1963). Marriage: 1925 at Coonabarabran, NSW, to Irene Marion Barnes (1908-1982). They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 5 January 1971 at Hornsby District Hospital; usual residence Alan Avenue, Hornsby, Sydney. Religion: Anglican.
- Was a small farmer and market gardener on the banks of the Castlereagh River and labourer at Binnaway. Australian Labor Party supporter.
- In 1932 he was kidnapped by four men and assaulted by the New Guard (Binnaway-Coonabarrabran branch). Had letters ‘R.E.D.’ burnt into his forehead with silver-nitrate.
- Later worked as a carrier at Binnaway. Retired to Hornsby about 1965.
- Cause of death: ischaemic heart disease (years) and diabetes (years).
Sources
Archives Office NSW, New Guard files at Campbelltown.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- article about his assault by the New Guard, Truth (Sydney), 15 May 1932, p 13
- police regard the story as exremely dubious, Dubbo Dispatch (NSW), 18 May 1932, p 1
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Frater, Walter Henry (colleague)
Citation details
'Thompson, William James (1904–1971)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/thompson-william-james-34886/text43969, accessed 12 May 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
1904
Manilla,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
5 January,
1971
(aged ~ 67)
Hornsby, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.