Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ulysses’ A38 for Egypt 1.4.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Battalion, 15th Reinf, AIF.
Thompson disembarked at Alexandria in Egypt with the 11th Bn. He undertook a period of intensive training. During this time he suffered heat stroke and was admitted to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Heliopolis. On discharge, he joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked for England. He marched in to Perham Downs 31.7.1916. After 1 month of training, he proceeded overseas to France 13.8.1916. He was transferred from 11th Bn. Reinf. to the 3rd Light Trench Mortar Battery (LTMB) 9.6.1917. The 1st Division fought at Messines in June 1917 (AWM 1st Division). Thompson was wounded in action with a SW to fingers on his left hand 20.9.1917. His wounds were reported in local papers (West Australian Newspaper A22.11.1917). Thompson was admitted to hospital at Boulogne with Pyrexia Unknown Origins (PUO) a fever with no known cause 28.9.1917. He was transferred to England with Trench Fever 20.11.1917 and admitted to Colchester Hospital then transferred to Dartford. Thompson marched out to Sutton Veny 31.1.1918. He was admitted to Hospital with a dislocated thumb 9.2.1918. Thompson did not return to France but moved between various Depots before being listed for return to Australia.
Embarked from London for Australia per ‘Morvada’ 4.1.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 12.2.1919.
Discharged 16.7.1919
Medical Condition Invalided, SW to left hand.
Awards and Medals Thompson did not receive his war medals although entitled to them.
Notes After his death, his wife requested his medals and was granted his British War Medal and Victory Medal 27.8.1964.
Photo HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced AWM PS0154 
         Heliopolis Hospital, Cairo. Photograph donor E. Claydon, photograph source AWM J0950
           Outskirts of Messines. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01294
           3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C05043

Information Source
AWM PS0154. HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM J0950. Heliopolis Hospital, Cairo. Photograph donor E. Claydon, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01294. Outskirts of  Messines. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C05043. 3rd Auxilliary Hospital Dartford. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 1st Division
AWM Embarkation Roll Robert Thompson
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: 2455, Thompson Robert
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories.SLWA

10 Hugh Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images