Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The outstanding and excessively rare Afghanistan 2007 ‘Battle of the Sluice Gate’ C.G.C., ‘Iraq 2003’ M.I.D. double gallantry group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class II J. T. ‘Tommo’ Thompson, 42 Commando, late 40 Commando, Royal Marines, who was awarded the C.G.C. for his display of utterly selfless bravery which led to the defeat of an overwhelming number of Taliban during an ambush and intense prolonged firefight at Habibollah Kalay, Helmand on 10 January 2007; he had previously been Mentioned in Despatches for exceptional gallantry at the rescue of his Delta Company colleagues who had become surrounded during a lethal engagement with Feyadeen forces at Al Yahudia, Iraq, 2003.

On 10 January 2007, his entire company having been ambushed and pinned down under an overwhelming weight of fire deep in Taliban territory, Thompson displayed conspicuous gallantry, immediately engaging five separate enemy firing points with suppressive fire, thus allowing the company to dismount whilst he himself became the focus of withering and accurate fire. Suffering burst eardrums from the proximity of RPG and machine gun fire, and with his vehicle hit by numerous enemy rounds, he continued to engage the enemy despite the personal dangers - ‘Running low on ammunition following prolonged engagements, Thompson realised that many colleagues were still dangerously exposed. Without any regard whatsoever for his own safety, he remained in the killing area, engaging the enemy at a range of only 50 metres. His utterly selfless and courageous actions allowed the company to win the firefight.’

Thompson’s stand-out courage in the face of enemy fire had already been brought to notice with a mention in despatches in the early days of the Iraq War: elements of his 40 Commando Delta Company having been ambushed near Al Yahudiyah, Southern Iraq on 30 March 2003, Thompson’s decisive action and willingness to expose himself to considerable danger under oppressive incoming fire - despite having already been stunned by an enemy rocket propelled grenade - disrupted the hitherto dominant enemy, regained the initiative and almost certainly saved the lives of a number of his team

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially inscribed ‘PO55927F Cpl J T Thompson, RM’, reverse lower arm officially dated ‘2007’; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Mne J T Thompson PO55927F RM); Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (Mne J T Thompson PO55927F RM); Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Mne J T Thompson PO55927F RM); Jubilee 2012, unnamed as issued; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011 (Sgt J T Thompson CGC PO55927F RM); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Sgt J T Thompson CGC RM PO55927F) mounted as originally worn, generally nearly extremely fine (7) £120,000-£140,000

The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was instituted as a result of the 1993 review of the British honours system and is second in seniority only to the Victoria Cross. The C.G.C. was awarded for the first time as a result of the Bosnian War in 1995 and to date 61 such awards have been made.

C.G.C. London Gazette 19 July 2007:
‘For gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007.’

The original recommendation states:
‘Place: Habibollah Kalay, Helmand, Afghanistan
Date: 10 January 2007
During the deployment of Juliet Company on Operation Herrick 5 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Corporal Thompson has on countless occasions displayed exceptional bravery and leadership, particularly under fire. His open and un-armoured vehicle has led the company group throughout, and as such he has always been at the forefront of many engagements with the Taliban. On numerous occasions his vehicle has been hit by small arms fire and shrapnel. Unperturbed, he has constantly put himself in harm's way as he personally seeks to fight the enemy. His indomitable spirit is truly inspirational to the remainder of his company and he is invariably the last to disengage from a firefight.
On 10 January 2007, during an operation deep in Taliban held territory near Gereshk, Thompson displayed conspicuous gallantry. The operation also required the company to conduct searches in the Taliban stronghold of Habibollah Kalay, the scene of numerous previous engagements and where the enemy had time to prepare defences. The enemy's numbers proved to be far greater than expected and contributed to the intensity of the ensuing fight.
At first light, as the company was moving into position with Thompson's vehicle leading as usual, they were ambushed on three sides with an overwhelming weight of fire. Nothing new for Thompson, but the remainder of the company also began to receive fire from multiple directions. Dangerously exposed and realising that the entire company was pinned down from behind him, Thompson engaged five separate firing points. He soon became the focus for the enemy and received withering and accurate fire. His dedicated actions suppressed the enemy sufficiently for the company to dismount from its protected Viking vehicles. Suffering a burst eardrum from the proximity of RPG and machine gun fire, and with his vehicle hit by numerous enemy rounds, he continued to engage the enemy despite the personal dangers.
Despite having only one functioning weapon system on his vehicle and running low on ammunition following prolonged engagements, Thompson realised that many colleagues were still dangerously exposed. Without any regard whatsoever for his own safety, he remained in the killing area, engaging the enemy at a range of only 50 metres. His utterly selfless and courageous actions allowed the company to win the firefight.
Conducting a hasty ammunition re-supply and swapping his broken machine gun, Thompson returned to the fight, yet again at the front of the company. For the remainder of the battle he provided fire support to 1 Troop as it seized a significant weapons cache. This contact was the fiercest the company had endured during the 6-month tour. That mission success was achieved and no friendly casualties were sustained was attributable to the fortitude, bravery and level-headedness of Thompson in the face of overwhelming enemy fire. He displayed gallantry, determination, outstanding professionalism and exceptional leadership skills far beyond anything expected or imagined throughout the entire operation. This particular act of bravery led to the defeat of an overwhelming number of Taliban and was executed without any thought for his own safety. Universally respected and revered, he has been key to the success and morale of his company and through his actions many lives have been saved. The sum of all Thompson's repeated bravery and selflessness in the face of the enemy is extraordinary and worthy of the highest public recognition.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 31 October 2003:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services on operations in Iraq during the period 19th March to 19th April 2003.’

The original recommendation states:
‘Place: Abu Al Khasib, Southern Iraq
Date: 30 March 2003
On 30 March 2003, as part of a 40 Commando operation to clear enemy strongholds, Delta Company was tasked to clear the town of Al Yahudiyah, on the western edge of the Company boundary. A combat team of Heavy Machine Gun and Milan Anti-Tank Weapons mounted in four patrol vehicles was ordered to proceed to the eastern edge of the town and establish a Vehicle Check Point, prior to the Company clearance operation. On approaching the town, an enemy ambush was sprung and the Combat Team came under effective enemy RPG and machine gun fire from both sides of the road. There followed an intense engagement lasting more than an hour as the enemy attempted to inflict casualties by fixing the lead elements of the Company while infiltrating into its rear with small groups of lightly armed men.
Lance Corporal Thompson was in command of the lead vehicle to advance in support of the ambushed Combat Team. Despite the oppressive hail of incoming fire, he pushed forward to stop his patrol vehicle only 200 yards short of the ambush area and immediately organised his men to lay down a large weight of suppressive fire onto the identified enemy positions. This prompt and decisive action surprised and disrupted the hitherto dominant enemy and served to regain some of the initiative, causing significant attrition and almost certainly saving the lives of some of his surrounded colleagues. Confident that his men had adequate direction, Lance Corporal Thompson then climbed on a nearby roof with his Troop Commander in order to gain a clearer view of the exact location of the pinned down troops. As they were preparing to rejoin their men, they saw three enemy armed with RPGs in an alleyway to the rear; they neutralised them with small arms fire. At about this time, an enemy RPG exploded very near to him, temporarily stunning him. Despite these considerable distractions, his focus never shifted from the task in hand and it was only minutes later that, under cover of fire from other members of the Company who had moved up to join the fight, Lance Corporal Thompson exposed himself to considerable danger by returning to one of the vehicles in the area under fire. He proceeded to turn the vehicle around and drive it back out of the danger area to safer ground, ensuring the survival of key equipment. He then returned on foot to recover a second patrol vehicle, while the remainder of the Company withdrew under indirect and direct fire.
Amid the exemplary conduct of many members of the Company, the actions of Lance Corporal Thompson stands out as exceptionally gallant. His performance that day, both as an individual and a leader, was central to the success of the mission and thoroughly deserving of lasting public recognition.’

John Thomas Thompson was born in Dumfermline where both his parents were serving at the time with the Royal Navy, subsequently moving to Devon where he has resided for most of his life. He joined the Royal Marines in 1998 and completed basic training in October 1999. Having undertaken specialist training as a Heavy Weapons Anti Tanks operator he joined 40 Commando Royal Marines and deployed to Northern Ireland in 2000 as an intelligence marine in support of 40 Commando’s final Operation Banner deployment (General Service Medal and corresponding clasp). On his return from Northern Ireland, he successfully passed his Junior Command Course in 2002, gaining promotion to Corporal, and was deployed to the North Arabian Gulf on Counter Marine Interdiction Operations, boarding and securing smuggling ships.

Iraq 2003 - Telic 1 - Operation James - The Clearance of Al Faw Town - M.I.D.
At the commencement of Operation Telic 1 (the invasion of Iraq) on the night of 20 March 2003, Corporal Thompson deployed with Delta Company, 40 Commando R.M. from HMS Ark Royal by helicopter onto the Al Faw Peninsula as the first waves of the invasion force simultaneously deployed from shipping and across the land border from Kuwait into Iraq. Having secured nearby Petroleum pipelines, the majority of Delta Company then moved North in echelon formation towards Basra.
Nearing the town of Al Faw, Delta Company split into three mutually supporting Combat Teams with Thompson’s Combat Team 3 initially ordered to hold the road while Combat Teams 1 and 2 of Delta Company moved forward in support of a clearance patrol by Alpha Company. The frenetic action which subsequently unfolded is brilliantly described in Thompson’s unpublished personal account, from which the following passages are extracted:

‘I was in CT3, holding the road. I sat baking in the rising sun for hours - temperatures reaching into the 40s - as elements gained overwatching positions.
“Charlie Charlie 1, 10A, CONTACT WAIT OUT”
I receive a command from the Officer Commanding Delta Company to push forward in support of CT1 who have been ambushed from all sides. I am given an 8-figure grid reference. I understand the general direction we need to go, and we move off at speed. I am sending commands to my team over our chat net, navigating, and preparing myself for what is to come.
I stop my vehicle short of the ambush killing area and see at least two of the CT1 vehicles exploding and on fire. I hear huge volumes of suppressive fire, the zip of rounds (bullets) narrowly missing our heads as they are projected at subsonic speeds. I can see the dust eruptions of rounds hitting the road all around our feet. “OUT, OUT, OUT, GET INTO COVER!” We de-bus and I leave a sentry on our vehicles (this is called a Zulu muster). In the ditches either side of the road, I take stock of the scene in front of me. From our position, on a T-junction, we are surrounded by buildings, homes, or businesses, I am not sure. But over the blocking screen of these buildings, I see the roof tops of the fig date trees, and I know that there is a maze of disruptive irrigation channels beyond, which we must enter to gain cover of movement toward the enemy. To the east, approximately 30 to 50 meters away is the Shatt-al-Arab river, and we receive fleeting fire from Iranian Border forces.
I must establish communication with CT1, no response is forthcoming. The only things that I know is that 400m to my front is a killing area. That my friends, maybe laying shot, or are already dead. This is my only thought, everything escapes my mind. We start to move on foot on the roadside. It’s the fastest way to get into the ambush area and support our friends. I move forward to check an alleyway, cautiously looking around the corner of a whitewashed breeze block wall. “BOOM!” I am on the ground, coughing through the dust which engulfs me, my ears ring with the high-pitched scream of deafness. I faintly hear my friend shouting “Tommo is dead!” As I stumble to my feet I decide that we need cover to protect our movement. At all costs we must get to CT1, so we move into the darkness of the plantations. The fig plantation is like another world in comparison to the streets, its humid and stifling. Now I can see the threat of the irrigation ditches; they are deep. I think that if one of us falls in, then we are going under fast.

In command training, the modus operandi in patrolling is to have a lead scout to cover the frontal arcs, with the section commander as the second man in the patrol. The section commander navigates, maintains comms, and gives orders in the relative safety from the lead scout and the rest of the section. On this occasion, however, I take the responsibility of the lead scout point and we move into the fray. It’s quiet, almost peaceful, with the sounds of combat being muffled by the barrier of nature. Through brush, and buildings we move. Its tough trying to jump through the chest height windows of dwellings, we are so heavy in our battle dress. We come across a family who huddle in one of the houses petrified at the surrounding war. We are heading in the right direction, at least I think we are, traversing the plantation, and hopping in and out of buildings becomes confusing. All I have is my compass to keep us on the right path. Eventually we suddenly run into some lads from CT1 in a building we just entered. They are dishevelled at the effectiveness of the enemy ambush, some have lots all their kit and weapons in the explosion of their vehicles. They are in cover, they are alive, and now they are safe. But it’s not the full team. Both teams shake hands and friends talk with each other. I want to know what the hell has happened.

CT1 had moved into position and while they were in transit were ambushed from multiple firing points by red and white Fedayeen, the fanatical troops of the Ba’ath Party regime. PKM, AK47, and RPGs engaged CT1, destroying vehicles and scattering friendly forces to the protection of the covered ground nearby. So far, no information came about any casualties, but people were missing. We told them where the rest of Delta Company were located (our zulu muster point) wished them luck and, moved forward again to try to find the missing ranks.

I needed more situational awareness, the closed in buildings and vegetation was driving me crazy. I had to gain higher ground. So, myself and my troop officer climb up onto the roof of the building to look around. A chance encounter of 3 Fedayeen fleeing from the road to regroup, clearly trying to encircle us. We neutralised them, they died before they hit the floor. Dropping down from the roof top, content that I now had a clearer understanding of the battle space, I gave the command to push on. Popping out into the open street, the killing area is now only 70m away. I can smell the vehicles burning and hear the scream and boom of RPGs detonating into the evacuated vehicles. Many bursting mid-air before their targets, sending fractured metal shards and high explosives in all directions, making the very air around us lethal. We move in bounds, 5 metres, 10 metres, firing and moving to the next wall for cover. On the last bound we move into a garden, though a V-shaped hole created by rocket propelled grenades. Everyone is down as low as they can go.

Despite the effectiveness of the Fedayeen’s attack, there are still two stranded vehicles with weapons systems mounted on them. Those platforms have mission essential kit and Delta Company needs those wagons. “Give me covering fire, I am going to get those Pinz’s!” I shout. 3, 2, 1 go! I explode with all the effort I can muster, bullets ricochet all around me as the enemy see a new target in their killing zone. I can hear explosions; I hear the covering machine gun fire. In an instant I jump up into the exposed driver’s seat of the first Pinzgauer. I am aware that bullets hit are striking, inches from my hands and legs. I ignore it. I turn the key, and the engine roars into life, my foot is down, revs are at max. I scream into a 180 degree turn and race off south towards the Company holding point. Around me the buildings and trees blur into imagination, until I skid to a halt in front of the Sergeant Major and the rest of Company Main. Everyone is asking me questions, and I think I answer them. But my thoughts are on the section remaining, I turn and run in the middle of the road back into the killing area. I am drained, at the limits of endurance but my legs keep moving. It takes tremendous effort to keep going, left foot, right foot. The air in my lungs is burning, my mouth is dry, full of propellant fumes and sand. I am so dehydrated; I just want to collapse.

I remember running past an American Tactical Air Controller, I turn to acknowledge him with a smile and high five. As our hands connected, he said “Man you guys are crazy, if I was with our guys, we would be dead by now!”.
“I’m going to get the section” I cry out to anyone and everyone. I am not waiting for permission, I am going. Left foot, right foot, gulping lungs of air to feed my muscles. I can feel the warm adrenaline and endorphins coarsing in my inflamed joints. I continue back into the fray.

In a huge burst of fire, with 81mm Mortars, and 105mm artillery rounds creeping closer to our position in support. We extract, running in single file on the road towards the safety of Delta Company. I count each man out of cover, making sure we are all moving, and that no man is left behind. I take up the position as the “Tail-end Charlie”, running backwards keeping an eye for targets. It feels like a very long way and every one of my team is moving on dead legs. Left foot, right foot. The world explodes in a deafening cacophony of the indirect fire support bombardment.’

This ambush had lasted for 6 hours. Thompson was mentioned in despatches for his gallantry in action that day.

In November 2003 Corporal Thompson was drafted to 42 Commando Royal Marines, M Company as a Heavy Weapons section commander within a Manoeuvre Support Company and January 2004 saw him deployed to Northern Norway, where he completed the arduous Cold Weather Warfare Course (CWWC) qualifying as a UK deployable arctic and mountain warfare specialist.

Early the following year Thompson deployed to Afghanistan on Op Herrick 3 to secure ground and establish what would later become Camp Bastion. On his return from Afghanistan, Thompson completed his Jungle Warfare Tracking Instructors Course in Brunei and immediately he deployed to Exercise Long Look (New Zealand Army), assisting in the development of combined armoured infantry Tactical Training Procedures until his return to 42 Commando RM to complete his pre deployment training for deployment into Afghanistan on Herrick 5 with J Coy at Camp Garmisr.

Afghanistan 2007 - Operation Herrick 5 - Helmand
Thompson participated in four operational deployments during Operation Enduring Freedom - the official name given by the U.S.A. for the war against global terrorism. Initially seeing action during the Maritime Interdiction Operation for Op Veritas, he subsequently deployed into Helmand for Ops Herrick 3, 5, and 12. The most notable and kinetic of all being Op Herrick 5, during which, as Heavy Weapons Attack Corporal, 3 Troop, J Coy, 40 Commando, Royal Marines, he was deployed into Helmand Province among a Company Group of exceptional Section Commanders. Thompson’s 3 Troop was a Fire Support Group (FSG) made up of 4 WMIK (Heavy Weapons platforms mounted on a stripped-down Land Rover. No doors, no windows, no armour).

J Company was based out of Forward Operation Base Price, near Geresh, approximately 75km from Camp Bastion. Conducting mobile operations (MOG Ops), they had the freedom to move almost anywhere in the Tactical Area of Operations (TAOR) and experienced over 35 major combat operations throughout the tour.

The Battle of the Sluice Gate - C.G.C.
On 10 January 2007, Thompson’s company embarked on a 10-day patrol through the town of Geresh, following the Bogra Canal (a 155km water way which dissected Helmand), and then into the northern wilds of Nowazad and Musakala. Geresh and its nearby districts well were known through intelligence to be the base location for multiple Taliban bomb makers, and indirect fire support specialists and had already witnessed multiple significant actions involving ISAF forces.

Departing at first light with Thompson leading in his WMIK, the company split into two groups. One grouping went south of the Bogra Canal to establish overwatch of the patrol area north into Geresh, and the other moved on the narrow, elevated and exposed northern road of the Bogra canal, with an aim to clear and secure the Habibullah Kalay area. Moving forwards then, on the north road in total darkness whilst observing absolute light and noise discipline, Thompson’s section would soon have cause to pause:
‘As the first semblance of day light began and the sky turn from utter black to a hint of the darkest blue, I noticed a shape in the eerie shadows. I radioed a halt through the companies all informed net. I unclipped my radio and got down from my commander’s seat to approach the shadow. The shape of a man unfolded with each step. The man was wearing a cream polo shirt with 3 to 5 stripes going across the centre. He was on his back with his legs curled under and back. His eyes had been cut out, and he had bullet holes in his chest. A small note written in the Pashtu language had been attached to his body. Our interpreter translated the script, which declared that this man was a contractor for International Security Armed Forces (ISAF) and was therefore a traitor. He had been executed as an example to the civilian population. I got back into my vehicle and took a breath. It was very still, like the world had just paused, nothing moved, no sounds rolled through the air. I turned to my driver and whispered, “It’s going to kick off”.

At that very instant an RPG exploded in the air in front of us. Machine gun fire erupted from the shadows and engulfed the two WMIKs that led the patrol. Seeing muzzle flashes of enemy weapons, I established a target and fired 200 rounds immediately at the Taliban gunman, then both WMIKs trained their Heavy Machine Guns and Grenade Machine Guns onto the firing points and opened up. The space between our position and Taliban’s is filled with tracer, birds fall out of the sky as they are cut down from the hail of steel projectiles. This is truly dead man’s land. The noise and vibration are almost unbearable. I shout to my driver, commanding him move forward. I am acutely aware of the rest of the group. My aim is to move forward into the killing area and draw fire away from the main body. I know that we have more than enough fire power to suppress any enemy. We will hold the ground so that the rifle troops can get out and take the ground.

With enemy engagements as close as 50m, the fire fight is intense, relentless, there are no lulls in the battle. Neither the Taliban or us can let the initiative change hands. We are over exposed, with no option for positioning or gaining cover from fire. The commander seat is raised higher than that of the drivers so that I can operate the mounted GPMG, and the muzzle of the 50 cal is directly above my head. Every bullet that is fired from that monster machine gun feels like I am being hit in the head by a hammer, the sound is deafening.

I am shouting out target indications of firing points, so that the heavy weapons can execute their fire, I am still trying to use the radio as I have to trust something might get through, feeding grid locations, magnetic bearings, and ranges back through the company net. I need to know how much ammunition both vehicles have remaining. Our rates of fire are so rapid, that we are expending so much just to stay alive. Engine oil is everywhere, soaking our clothes and greasing our hands. We must use engine oil to keep the machine guns firing, the heat generated simply evaporates conventional weapon oils. The barrels of the machine guns are so hot, that they turn white, becoming semi-transparent, and you can see the heat the bullets as they travel.

We have been fighting for 10 minutes and we have demolished 50% of our ammunition. We need more, but the company is over 100m back, and it would be a suicide mission to move forward. I still can’t establish comms, but know I must do something. Then my GPMG breaks, the rate of fire has literally shaken the rivets out of the firing handle and trigger, it hangs off. I must unload the ammunition belt, strip it down, and use a makeshift piece of scrap wire to fix it. Soon enough I am back in. All the while the dirt road is being ripped up by enemy bullets, the air is exploding with RPGs detonating as air bursts. Taliban 82mm mortar bombs are landing send huge piles of soil, smoke, and high explosives into the air. If one finds its mark it will kill an entire team. We are surrounded on 3 sides, pinned to our attacking position.

“We need more ammo!” I scream, trying to break through the sound of war. My head is killing, from all the heavy machine gun fire over my head. I turn to my crew, and tell then that I must get ammo. I jump out of the vehicle and snag myself. I am still attached to the vehicle radio net, so I unclip, and start to run back to the company. This kit and armour are almost double the weight of that I had in Iraq, so it is slow going. I look forward and focus on getting to the company. The ground splashed with dust like a puddle in torrential rain, as the Taliban attempted to bring me down, I didn’t notice it at the time, but was told after by my crew.

I reach the company; they have all dropped down the sides of the road to get cover. The first man I see is the Sergeant Major and then the Company Commander, I tell them that my radio is broken, that I tried to send messages. They tell me that they have received the information. Then someone notices blood dripping out of both my ears. My ear drums have burst under the pure force of the heavy machine gun firing. “I need ammo, we are below 50%”, I shout. It’s strange because I know I am talking, but I can hear my voice inside my own head. I sounds as if I am hearing someone try to talk under water.

The Sergeant Major starts to arrange resupply. Boxes and belts of linked ammunition appear from everywhere, with my friends bringing me the lifesaving munitions to continue the battle, they are piled forward. In each hand I grasp 3 boxes of 50 cal rounds (weight 16kgs each), 3x 100 rd belts are put over my shoulders, I turn around and run back into hell. I know others are following me, though I don’t know who came with more ammunition. My head is down, it’s so heavy, my head is pounding, and although the new day still has the chilled morning air, I am dehydrated and drenched in sweat.

I get back to the WMIKs and distribute the ammunition, feeding the hungry machine guns. My brother in arms, Adz, is the commander of the other WMIK. He tells me that his Grenade Machine Gun has broken. I had been on the trials team with gun makers Heckler & Koch, so I was an expert in the weapon system. I hastily climbed up onto the weapons mount and started to test it. Yep, it was broken, grenades were not being fed into the mechanism, and it wasn’t firing off. Standing fully up, I was 4m above the road, totalling 9m above the ground. I stripped the weapon to track the break. Oil was everywhere, my hands, so greased that I struggled to grasp anything. A split pin holding the massive recoil spring had broken. I had to wrestle the springs back and use my good old scrap metal wire to fashion a new makeshift pin. Success the pin was in, and I rebuilt the gun. Now to test it. Loaded, cocked the weapon, and fired. Nothing. I tried again, load, cock, fire, nothing. Shit! Its broken again. It took me three attempts to get the mechanism fixed. All the while the world is exploding around me. How I wasn’t killed doing it, I will never know.

Against an enemy assessed to be engaging from 58 separate enemy firing positions, for 4 hours, we remained in contact, unwavering in resolve, unmoving from our mission, we would never retreat. We won the fire fight and exploited the ground. The riflemen, on foot, quickly cleared the surrounding buildings, uncovering caches of arms, munitions, improvised explosive devises, home-made bombs made from pressure cookers and nails. The dead enemy lay sprawled and slumped in position, never to pick up a weapon again. Besides my burst ear drums, we sustained no casualties. This was nothing short of a miracle and can be whole attributed to the exceptional displays of professionalism and gallantry of the company.

The company had to return to FOB Price to conduct a full resupply. We had drained our entire ammunition supply. 10 days of resources spent in 4 hours. Through well practice drills, we worked with machine like efficiency, managing to reconfigure the company within the hour to continue with the 10-day patrol.

I wasn’t so lucky, I had totally lost my hearing, the pain in my head being unbearable. Under orders by our Naval Surgeon, I had to remain at the FOB to rest my injured senses. I hugged my brothers and apologised for not being able to join them.’ (extracted from Thompson’s unpublished personal account).

For his exceptional conduct during the Habibollah Kalay action and his continued gallantry during this six month combat tour in Afghanistan, Thompson was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, presented to him at Buckingham Palace by Her Majesty The Queen.

Continued Promotion and medical discharge
Thompson was then drafted to Commando Training Centre Royal Marines to assist in Recruit training and spread his knowledge and experience to the new generation of Royal Marines. In 2008, he was nominated for his Senior Command Course which he attended and passed with distinction. In March 2009 he returned to 40 Commando RM where he served in Delta Company once again and deployed back to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 12 during which time, he qualified for his Accumulated Campaign Service medal. After this tour he again returned to CTCRM as a member of the Royal Marines Young Officer training team. March 2013 he was promoted to Colour Sergeant, was awarded the Long Service Good Conduct Medal, and drafted to the Joint Counter Terrorist Training Advisory Team as technical Company Quartermaster Sergeant, supporting the U.K.’s only Global Counter Terrorism unit.

Colour Sergeant Thompson returned to 40 Cdo RM as the Unit Heavy Weapons 1 advisor where he remained until his selection to Warrant Officer Second Class in 2016 when he attended and passed his Advance Command Course prior to his appointment to Commando Logistic Regiment as Landing Force Support Squadron Logistical Task Group Sergeant Major. In January 2018 his role changed within the Regiment to that of Equipment Support Squadron Sergeant Major where he remained until an ongoing medical issue resulted in his draft to Hasler Royal Naval Recovery Centre whilst he awaited a spinal operation. Despite the success of this procedure sadly Warrant Officer Class II Thompson was unable to continue to serve within the Royal Marine Corps and was medically discharged after 23 years 6 months service.


Sold together with the following related archive:
(i) a copy of the recipient’s personal memoir (unpublished).
(ii) the artist’s proof watercolour painting of Gordon Rushmer’s ‘Firefight in the Helmand’ additionally inscribed ‘To Tomo with best wishes, Gordon Rushmer.’ 77cm x 58cm including frame.
(iii) a print of Gordon Rushmore’s watercolour painting of the recipient entitled, ‘Corporal “Tommo” Thompson RM, CGC.’ Signed to the reverse by the artist with dedication to the recipient.
(iv) photograph of the recipient in uniform shaking hands with President George W. Bush at a Whitehouse reception. Signed by the President. With unopened gift from the White House.
(iv) a hardback copy of the book ‘The Road to Kandahar. The Paintings of Gordon Rushmer.’ Signed by the artist with dedication to the recipient.
(v) M.I.D. certificate.
(vi) laminated recommendations for both awards.
(vii) 40 Commando art kit.
(viii) N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, ISAF, on ISAF riband, in case of issue, extremely fine
(ix) DVD and official photographs of investiture.
(x) quantity of letters of congratulation on award of M.I.D. in 2003 including letters from Lieutenant General Sir John Reith K.C.B., C.B.E., Chief of Joint Operations; Major General R. V. Brims C.B.E. D.S.O. Deputy Chief of Joint Operations; Major General A. A. Milton C.B. O.B.E. Commandant General Royal Marines; Admiral Sir Alan West K.C.B., D.S.C., A.D.C.; and letters of congratulation on award of C.G.C. in 2007 including letters from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief Fleet (letters for both awards); Major General G. S. Robison, Commandant General Royal Marines; WO1 (RSM) B. A. Dawe, Corps Regimental Sergeant Major; Brigadier D. A. Capewell O.B.E., 3 Commando Brigade.
(xi) metal pocket watch and chain, the front cover engraved with the badge of the Royal Marines and the words, ‘353rd Royal Marines Corps Birthday’ and the back engraved ‘PO55927F WO2 Thompson CGC RM LFSS SSM.’
(xii) a quantity of military maps and atlases of Afghanistan, used condition.
(xiii) a quantity of photographs, including many taken on active service in Afghanistan, on training exercises in Canada and many from the C.G.C. investiture at Buckingham Palace.
(xiv) newspaper cuttings and other ephemera.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 303.