Victor Wright Thompson

Victor Thompson (Service No 2453) was born in Gunnadah, N.S.W.

At enlistment Victor was single, 22 years old, and worked as an iron monger at Port Kembla, N.S.W.  He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A75 Ballarat with 20th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement on 6th September 1915.  He joined 20th Battion, D Company at Gallipoli and served for a short time with them.

Back in Egypt he was transferred to the 5th Machine Gun Company on 8th March 1916 and he served with this company for the rest of the war.  With the MGC, Victor was sent to France and arrived on 23rd March 1916.  He was promoted to Corporal on 16th November 1916; then to Sergeant on 1st January 1917.

Victor was involved in the fighting at Bullecourt in France and on 23rd May 1917 he was recommended for a Millitary Medal for his actions of 3rd May 1917.  The recommendation for his Military Medal reads: "On the morning of 3rd May during the attack on the HINDENBURG LINE near BULLECOURT, Sergeant THOMPSON was in command of 3 Machine Guns. During the temporary withdrawal he showed great ability in covering the withdrawal of the Infantry and by his coolness and resource succeeded in withdrawing his guns with few casualties. Later he gallantly led two of his guns in a second assault on the line. On the following day he led 5 guns into the HINDENBURG LINE operating with the bombers with great skill and dash. Throughout the operations he set a fine example of resource, courage and marked ability." Commonwealth Gazette No. 189, 8th November 1917.

Victor was wounded in action on 20th September 1917 and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his leg.  The wound was serious and he was repatriated to Australia in January 1918.  He was discharged from the AIF, medically unfit, on 15th March 1918 due to his wound.

On 3rd August 1929 Victor married Ida Collier in Sydney and they returned to Wollongong, N.S.W. and raised 2 daughters.

On 19th August 1940 Victor enlisted for service in World War II.  He served with A Company, No 12 Prisoner of War Camp, Cowra, N.S.W.  After discharge Victor then enlisted with the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), and was finally discharged from the Army on 21st June 1948.  Victor and his family remained in Cowra. 

On 14th May 1953, Victor was riding his bicycle when he was involved in a crash with a car, dying as a result of his wounds.