Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jack was born at Prospect, SA, on 22 Apr 1948 to Lillian Thompson (nee Peterson) and Bertram Thompson of Nailsworth, SA.  He attended the local Nailsworth Primary School and then completed secondary schooling at Adelaide High School in 1963.

After leaving school he worked in the Monsanto Poisons Factory for 6 months prior to joining the RAN in 1964 as a "boy sailor" at the age of 15.  He completed basic training at HMAS Cerberus, and entered the fleet, taking station on the HMAS "Duchess" as an Ordinary Seaman; it was here that he saw his first active service in both Borneo and the Malaysian Peninsula.

A number of positions on various ships followed before he was promoted to Able Seaman – Quartermaster Gunner in 1966 on the HMAS "Hobart".  He saw 2 tours of duty in Vietnam on this ship (1967 – 68).  He then spent some time ashore before being posted back to sea aboard Patrol Boats in Darwin and Cairns.

In 1974 he was again stationed ashore; it was during this time that he married Joyce Carlsen.  They had 2 children (Jacqueline and Neil).

He then joined HMAS "Derwent", the ship on which he remained until he “paid off” in 1976.  Unfortunately soon after leaving the Navy he separated from his wife.

Jack then worked for Armaguard Security Services for 25 years.  It was during this time that he met his current wife, Carolyn.  They were married in 1997.

Jack retired in 2001.  The family, consisting of Jack, Carolyn and Matey (a fox terrier/Jack Russell cross) then commenced a 6 month caravanning holiday to Darwin and along the West coast of WA, before returning across the Nullarbor.  They stopped at Tumby Bay and fell in love with the township.  With Matey’s approval, they purchased a house in 2005, and have now settled in Tumby Bay, where they continue to enjoy the lifestyle and plan for future travels: also Jack is learning to be a granddad to Brayden

Jack’s house is unique, in that it has the Jackstaff of the HMAS Hobart as it’s flagpole (don’t ask how it came to be there!).  This pole has taken a degree of securing in the ground, but then that is another story.

Jack is a member of the Tumby Bay Sub Branch of the RSL.

Service Medals and Decorations:

Australian Active Service Medal (Vietnam Clasp & Malay Peninsula Clasp)                                                                    

General Service Medal – Borneo Clasp & Malay Peninsula Clasp                           

Vietnam Medal                                                                                                         

Vietnamese Campaign Medal                                                                                    

Australian Service Medal – Far East Strategic Reserve Clasp

Australian Defence Medal

United States Unit Commendation