Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Order of St John group of seven awarded to Mr George S. Thompson, St John Ambulance Brigade (Devon), late Royal Navy

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Commander’s neck badge, silver and enamel; together with his earlier badges of Officer and Serving brother, both silver and enamel; British War and Victory Medals (M. 4831 G. S. Thompson. Act. E.R.A. 4. R.N.); Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (M. 7831 G. S. Thompson, E.R.A. 1. H.M.S. Vivid.); St John Service Medal, cupro-nickel, with 1st Bar, unnamed, mounted on board for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (9) £180-220

George Stuart Thompson was born at Devonport on 23 April 1897. Upon leaving school he joined the Royal Navy on 24 July 1912, entering the Engine Room branch. He began in H.M.S. Indus, Workshop and Training Establishment at Devonport, as a Boy Artificer. He was rated Engine Room Artificer 5th Class in January 1917 and went to sea the following month in H.M.S. Orion for the remainder of the war. He was rated Acting E.R.A. 4 in November 1917 and confirmed in that rate in March 1919. He received further promotion to E.R.A. 3 in October 1920 and to E.R.A. 2 in October 1924. His final promotion to E.R.A. 1 sometime after 1928, and he received his L.S. & G.C. medal in about 1930.

He joined St John Ambulance in 1946 as County Cadet Vice-President and was appointed County Staff Officer, St John Ambulance Cadets, in 1947. He was awarded the St John Long Service Medal in 1961 and his 1st Bar in 1966. He was admitted to the Order as Serving Brother in 1951, promoted to Officer Brother in 1955, and made Commander of the Order in 1964. He transferred to the Retired List of St John Ambulance in 1967 and died in 1978. Sold with copied record of service to December 1928 and other research.