Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

19/06/1944

Date of Discharge

30/07/1946

Place of Enlistment

In the field, NSW

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

08/06/1923

Place of Birth

Yass NSW

Address (at enlistment)

Torrens Street, Braddon ACT

Occupation

Clerk

Next of Kin

James Thompson (father), Torrens Street, Braddon ACT

Service Number

NX193257 (N243366)

Final Rank

Private

Final Unit

36 Australian Infantry Battalion

Thompson marched into camp with the 3rd Battalion (militia) in January 1942, though he had taken the oath of enlistment on 21 October 1941 in Canberra. He arrived in Port Moresby, Papua with 3 Battalion on 27 May 1942. After being hospitalised with dysentery in June 1942 he joined his unit, as part of Maroubra Force, on the Kokoda track on 5 September 1942. By 17 September the Australians had retreated to Ioribaiwa ridge and then, after further fighting, to Imita ridge. By the end of the month the Japanese had been forced to withdraw but by then Thompson had been hospitalised again with dysentery. He was evacuated to Australia in January 1943.

After recovering, Thompson enlisted in the AIF on 19 June 1944 and joined the 36th Battalion at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain in March 1945. The 36th Battalion were part of a force that conduct active patrolling against the Japanese on the Gazelle Peninsula near Rabaul. He returned to Australia in June 1945. Thompson was living in Charnwood when he died in July 1976. 

Description - height 5 feet 9 inches, brown eyes, dark complexion, black hair, Catholic.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
The Canberra Times - 9 July 1976
NAA RecordSearch - Series B883