- SURNAME
Thompson
- FORENAME
Robert Grainger Ker (Bobby)
- UNIT
R.A.F.O. (RAF Sections)
- RANK
Wing Commander
- NUMBER
70672
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Order
- PLACE
Burma 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 12.04.1916
father Canon W.G. Thompson
attended Marlborough College
attended Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
joined University Air Squadron
1936 commissioned RAF Reserve
1938 joined Malayan Civil Service as cadet
start WWII joined RAF
serving Macao when Japanese attacked, escaped to Burma
liaison officer with Chindits
awarded M.C. & DSO
postwar returned to Malayan Civil Service
1946 assistant commissioner of labour in Perak
Malayan Emergency
1959 secretary of defence for Tun Abdul Razak
1961 head of British Advisory Mission to South Vietnam
1969 special advisor to President Nixon
awarded KBE, CMG & Knighted
author (Autobiography)
died 16.05.1992 (Aged 76)
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Order : Squadron Leader Thompson is the senior R.A.F. officer of the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade and R.A.F. Adviser to the Brigade Commander on all matters of Air Support.
In the performance of these duties he has always shown the utmost ingenuity and resourcefulness. During the battles round Henu Block his work played a decisive part in the fighting. On one occasion he joined in a charge and himself killed two Japanese.
In the planning of the Airborne Landing and in its execution Squadron Leader Thompson's sound judgement was of the greatest assistance.
In the battle of Mogaung, between 31st May and 27th July, 1944, he organised the construction of forward airbases, including the laying of light aircraft landing strips, by the ingenious use of local material. The evacuation of a large number of casualties was greatly facilitated by the use of these landing strips and the effect on the morale of the fighting troops was important.
To ensure the success of direct air support in the Mogaung area Squadron Leader Thompson organised a system of communication with bomber pilots, thus enabling our troops to take immediate advantage of close bomber support.
Although he was sick during the operations which were conducted to reduce a series of strong points at Natyegon and other places by direct air support, his energy, resource and knowledge contributed largely to the success of the operations. By his example and leadership throughout he has set a fine example to other officers of his formation.
Military Cross : OPERATIONS IN BURMA - MARCH, 1943
Flt.Lt. Thompson accompanied No.3 Column in command of the R.A.F. Section. Throughout operations he controlled supply dropping and liaison with the R.A.F. In addition to his duties as O.C., R.A.F.Section, he took an active part in all engagements against the enemy. In particular during the attack on the Railway at NANKANG Station on 6th March 43, he took command of a party of Gurkha Rifles, displaying marked courage and initiative in the face of the enemy. In the series of engagement with the enemy which followed the attack on the Railway, Flt.Lt. THOMPSON was always to the fore with his tommy gun, and his steadiness and indifference to his personal safety had a marked effect on all ranks in the Column. Not only did Flt.Lt. THOMPSON invariably give this example of personal courage, but he was, in addition, of the greatest value to his Column Commander, owing to his detailed and thorough knowledge of the Japanese and their methods. Were he not specially qualified as a R.A.F. officer, he possesses all the qualifications required for a successful Column or Group Commander.
In the performance of these duties he has always shown the utmost ingenuity and resourcefulness. During the battles round Henu Block his work played a decisive part in the fighting. On one occasion he joined in a charge and himself killed two Japanese.
In the planning of the Airborne Landing and in its execution Squadron Leader Thompson's sound judgement was of the greatest assistance.
In the battle of Mogaung, between 31st May and 27th July, 1944, he organised the construction of forward airbases, including the laying of light aircraft landing strips, by the ingenious use of local material. The evacuation of a large number of casualties was greatly facilitated by the use of these landing strips and the effect on the morale of the fighting troops was important.
To ensure the success of direct air support in the Mogaung area Squadron Leader Thompson organised a system of communication with bomber pilots, thus enabling our troops to take immediate advantage of close bomber support.
Although he was sick during the operations which were conducted to reduce a series of strong points at Natyegon and other places by direct air support, his energy, resource and knowledge contributed largely to the success of the operations. By his example and leadership throughout he has set a fine example to other officers of his formation.
Military Cross : OPERATIONS IN BURMA - MARCH, 1943
Flt.Lt. Thompson accompanied No.3 Column in command of the R.A.F. Section. Throughout operations he controlled supply dropping and liaison with the R.A.F. In addition to his duties as O.C., R.A.F.Section, he took an active part in all engagements against the enemy. In particular during the attack on the Railway at NANKANG Station on 6th March 43, he took command of a party of Gurkha Rifles, displaying marked courage and initiative in the face of the enemy. In the series of engagement with the enemy which followed the attack on the Railway, Flt.Lt. THOMPSON was always to the fore with his tommy gun, and his steadiness and indifference to his personal safety had a marked effect on all ranks in the Column. Not only did Flt.Lt. THOMPSON invariably give this example of personal courage, but he was, in addition, of the greatest value to his Column Commander, owing to his detailed and thorough knowledge of the Japanese and their methods. Were he not specially qualified as a R.A.F. officer, he possesses all the qualifications required for a successful Column or Group Commander.
WEB LINKS:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Grainger_Ker_Thompsonhttps://www.chinditslongcloth1943.com/sir-robert-thompson.html
https://amzn.to/3TINyVs
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009972
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1094032
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369951
http://academics.wellesley.edu/Polisci/wj/Vietnam/Obituaries/thompson.htm
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