Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Maj. William Raymond "Raymond" Thomson

Male 1884 - 1954  (70 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name William Raymond "Raymond" Thomson 
    Prefix Maj. 
    Born 22 Jan 1884  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Interesting life story, military 
    Military WW1 
    Military WW2 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-340589 
    Died 23 Jul 1954  Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 5
    Buried 26 Jul 1954  Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 5
    Person ID I340589  Generations
    Last Modified 25 Apr 2024 

    Father Rev. John Thomson Thomson,   b. 18 Apr 1841, Rutherglen, , Lanark, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Jan 1926, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Mother Kate Martha Thomson,   b. 29 Jan 1845, , USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Apr 1904, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Family ID F248521  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Major Raymond Thomson, Native Of Ayr

      Many older residents of Ayr were saddened to learn of the death on Thursday in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, of Major W. Raymond Thomson, O.B.E., V.D., in his 71st year. He was taken ill a few days previous while holidaying on Lake Simcoe, but was making a good recovery in hospital when he suffered a fatal stroke.

      Son of Former Minister

      Born in Ayr, he was a son of Rev. Dr. John Thomson, highly esteemed minister of Knox Presbyterian Church for 40 years, and Martha Kate Thomson, whose devotion to church work endeared her to every member of the congregation. He received his elementary education at Ayr Public School and continued on to Galt and Woodstock Collegiate.

      Served in Several War Theatres in World War I

      He entered the service of the Imperial Bank, and was in Prince Albert, Bask., when the First World War broke out. He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 and was appointed paymaster of the 3rd Royal Canadian Artillery Brigade, 1st Division.. While in France Major Thomson was gassed at the Second battle of Ypres. He was transferred to Alexandria, Egypt, and later to Salonica, Greece, where he opened the Canadian Pay and Record Office. Major Thomson was invalided back to England for a period, but returned to France as field cashier for the 3rd division, a post which he held until the cessation of hostilities. Following the war, he remained with the Pay and Records office In London until 1920.

      Re-enlisted in Second War
      Service Totalled Nine Year.


      He reenlisted in World War II and became a paymaster with the Royal Canadian Artillery at Aldershot, England. He was invalided home after three years, suffering from arthritis, thus concluding a distinguished military career which spanned nine years of his life.

      With Ontario Treasury Dept.


      In civilian life he returned to his brokerage business in Toronto and carried on activities in that line until seven years ago when he accepted a position with the Succession Duties Branch of the Ontario Treasury Department. Major Thomson remained in government service until the time of his death.

      Telegram From Premier


      As an indication of the high regard in which he was held in government circles, a telegram of condolence from Premier Leslie Frost was received by his brother, Pierre Thomson of Hamilton the only survivor.

      The Funeral

      Funeral service was held at Trull's Funeral Chapel, Toronto, on Sunday, conducted by Rev. Fraser, Presbyterian padre of Sunnybrook Hospital. Burial was mode in Ayr Cemetery on Monday morning, with Rev. W. D. Goodger officiating. Pallbearers were: John Henderson, Richard Baxter, Robert McRuer, Robert Lovett, John Manson and Jim Schmidt.


      The Ayr News Jul 29 1954 pg 1

  • Sources 
    1. [S326] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1901, Ayr (Village) A Page 4.

    2. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      William Raymond Thomas Thomson Born: 22 Jan 1884 County: Waterloo Father: John Thomson Mother: Martha Kate Thomson

    3. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      Rev. John Thomson A. M. D. D. / MInister/ Knox Church Ayr/ 1871 - 1911/ born/ Rutherglen Scotland/ Apr. 18, 1841/ died/ Jan. 12, 1926/ John Arnold Thomson/ born Mar. 2, 1876/ died Mar. 12, 1949/ William Raymond/ Thomson/ born Jan. 22, 1884/ died July 23,

    4. [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration.
      Name: William Raymond Thomas Thomson Date of Birth: 22 Jan 1884 Gender: Male Birth Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Father's name: John Thomson Mother's name: Martha Kate Thomson

    5. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      [Front/Northwest] Rev. John Thomson A. M. D. D./ MInister/ Knox Church Ayr/ 1871 - 1911/ born/ Rutherglen Scotland/ Apr. 18, 1841/ died/ Jan. 12, 1926/ John Arnold Thomson/ born Mar. 2, 1876/ died Mar. 12, 1949/ William Raymond/ Thomson/ born Jan. 22, 1884/ died July 23, 1954
      [Right/Southwest] Robert Fergus/ Third son of/ Rev. John Thomson/ born/ Feb. 19th 1879/ died/ July 4th 1880/ Kate M. Thomson/ wife of/ Rev. John Thomson/ born/ Jan. 29, 1845/ died/ Good Friday 1904/
      [A] R. F. T.
      [Back/Southeast] John Wylie/ Thomson,/ Native of/ Kilmarnock Scotland/ born/ May 3rd 1814/ died/ Nov. 10th 1844/ Ann Foster Vose/ Native of/ Augusta, Maine/ wife of/ John Wylie Thomson/ born/ Aug. 24th 1803/ died/ Oct. 31st 1886/
      [B] J. W. T
      [Left/Northeast] Margaret Garth/ Native of/ Glasgow, Scotland/ wife of/ John Thomson/ born April 6, 1818/ died Sep. 27, 1895/ George Thomson/ Native of/ Glasgow Scotland/ son of/ John Thomson/ And/ Margaret Garth/ born Sept. 13, 1848/ died Oct. 14, 1918

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 22 Jan 1884 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 23 Jul 1954 - Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 26 Jul 1954 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth