127 Heavy Field Battery, Royal Artillery.

Awarded the Military Medal in the Supplement to the London Gazette of 11 October 1945.

The recommendation of 4 May 1945 in WO373/55 at the National Archives reads: -

"L/Bombardier Thompson has rendered most valuable services throughout the campaign in NW Europe. Since D + 1 he has acted as Observation Post Assistant without a break. In particular his behaviour during the months of February and March was exemplary. He was a member of the FOO party which first entered Gennep and Goch with the 5th Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).

During the attack on Gennap on the 10/11 February communications between the OP and the OP vehicle failed and L/Bombardier Thompson ran to and fro through heavy mortar fire with messages and fire orders.

During the attack on Goch on 18/19 February in order to locate the position of mortars which were seriously hampering infantry operations, L/Bombardier Thompson climbed to our OP on the roof of a building which had already received a number of direct hits. Later, on the 20/21 February when the 5th Black Watch attacked SW out of Goch and the OP went forward on foot, L/Bombardier Thompson returned to bring up the vehicle, guiding it past craters by walking in front of it although the area was under heavy shell and mortar fire with the approaches covered by Spandaus.

During operation PLUNDER (immediately after the crossing of the Rhine) L/Bombardier Thompson was of valuable assistance in maintaining communications between the company with which he was working and the HQ. He constantly ran with messages between company HQ and his OP vehicle, this area at the time subjected to heavy shell and mortar fire.

Throughout the operations VERITABLE and PLUNDER L/Bombardier Thompson's conduct under often extremely trying conditions was a source of inspiration to the remainder of his party".

Born at Burnley, Lancashire on the 21 February 1919. Died at Burnley May 1971.