Harold Thomson

Production date
Unknown
 Description
Harold John Moule Thomson standing partially side-on in front of bushes. He is wearing military uniform from World War One including a lemon-squeezer hat. He has a white shirt with a tie on underneath a jacket with a holster belt on top. Thomson has an army great coat draped over his right arm. He has a moustache and is looking off to his right. He is the son of Inspector John Bell Thomson.
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Object detail

Artist/Maker
Production role
Photographer
Production date
Unknown
Production period
1910s
Subject person
Classification
Documentary Artifact/Communication Artifacts
Credit line
Harold Thomson is a well-known name in New Plymouth due to his involvement with the apprehension of the New Plymouth Highwayman, carpenter Robert Wallath, who carried out a series of robberies in 1892 and 1893. Wallath was apprehended on 20 July 1893 when Thompson, and his friend Charles Holmes grabbed him. Thomson was shot during the event but was not seriously injured.

Thomson went on to become a lawyer in Taranaki and served in the 32nd Reinforcements Otago Infantry Regiment, D Company. However he was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment in the 1920s, in contrast to Wallath who went on to be well regarded in the community.
Accession number
PHO2013-0096
Collection type
Photographs
Material
Silver gelatin print
Photographic Print

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Public comments

Full name: Harold John Moule Thomson, son of Inspector John Bell Thomson. 1873-1936. Known for helping capture the 'Highwayman' Wallath. Buried in the Services section, Te Henui Cemetery.

- Clare Dickson posted 4 years ago.

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