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6896 Private Harold George ‘Jack’ Thompson, 23rd Battalion (19th Reinforcement Group). Born in Warrnambool in 1900, the fifth son of John George and Ann (Spring) Thompson, of Warrnambool, whose five sons all went on active service. Previously served in the Royal Australian Navy as 5348 Stoker HG Thompson, from 14th August 1915 to 19th December 1916. While serving on HMAS Encounter he was accidentally injured, thus making him unfit for further naval service. Before enlisting he was employed by Swintons Pty Ltd, Warrnambool, and was cox for the Warrnambool Rowing Club. He was a grocer, single, when he enlisted on 12th January 1917, aged 18, at Warrnambool. Embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius on 11th May 1917.

Susan Finnigan wrote a history of the rowing club (City of Warrnambool Rowing Club: 140 years on the Hopkins River): “In March 1915 there was an aquatic carnival on the Hopkins River. By now every Warrnambool [Rowing Club] member had volunteered to enlist for the war. The rowers who did not return were Edward Artso, F Roy Chapman, Timothy M Dwyer, Leo P Gartlan and HG ‘Jack’ Thompson. Private HG ‘Jack’ Thompson was killed in 1918. He was formerly a grocer’s assistant at Swinton’s and the Club cox, succeeding one of his brothers. He had steered his crew to win the Colac Junior Fours in 1915. When war broke out he was in the Navy and had been pensioned after an injury. He rescinded his pension and enlisted. As he was under 18 years of age he needed his parents’ consent. His four brothers had also enlisted. These five men are among the 320 Victorian Rowing Association members whose names are recorded on the Oarsmens’ Cenotaph, located next to the Yarra River in Melbourne’s Alexandra Gardens. A wreath-laying ceremony was held in February 2013 at the Melbourne Oarsmen’s Cenotaph, to mark its recent refurbishment. Club members listed as served were G Butler, P Curtis, V Flett, W Hope, K McDougall, S Murphy, J O’Donnell, CF Robinson and WM Sarll [Hope, Robinson and Sarll are all remembered on the Christ Church Roll of Honour, Warrnambool].” Killed in action when his reconnaissance patrol was ambushed near Villers Bretonneux on 23rd July 1918.

The Warrnambool Standard of Wednesday, 11 September 1918 noted his death: “Private Harold George Thompson, generally known amongst his friends as ‘Jack’ Thompson, was killed in action in France on 23rd July last, at the early age of 18 years and 10 months, after a plucky career in the Army and Navy. He was the fifth surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson, Lava-street, Warrnambool, and all five sons have enlisted for active service. Gordon, an original Anzac, fell in battle at Gallipoli, and the others are still at the front. ‘Jack’ was in the Navy when war broke out, and was in training at Sydney, where he won the Coogee gold medal and lifesaving certificate before he was 16 years of age. While on the Encounter he met with an accident, which eventually rendered him unfit for further service with the navy. Invalided home and later discharged with an excellent character, he received the Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' badge or medal and a pension for life. But the call of Empire was too strong, and renouncing his pension he re-enlisted in the army (after two months' rest), and came home to implore the consent of his parents, being not yet 18 years old. After a short season in camp he left for England on 11th May, 1917, and was on active service up to the time of his death. Prior to joining the Royal Navy he was employed by Swinton's Pty. He was cox for the Warrnambool Rowing Club in succession to his brother Arthur, and piloted his crew to victory in the Colac Junior Fours in 1915. He was a bright, happy lad and a brave one, and much sympathy will be felt for his sorrowing parents.”

Sources: Blair & Affleck, For King & Country – Great War Enlistments from Warrnambool and District; Susan Finnigan, City of Warrnambool Rowing Club: 140 years on the Hopkins River; Australian War Memorial – Roll of Honour; National Archives of Australia; The AIF Project; Virtual War Memorial Australia; Warrnambool Standard 11th September 1918. 

Courtesy of James Affleck 2025

Private Harold George Thompson, generally known amongst his friends as "Jack" Thompson, was killed in action in France on 23rd July last, at the early age of 18 years and 10 months, after a plucky career in the Army and Navy. He was the fifth surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson, Lava-street, Warrnambool, and all five sons have enlisted for active service. Gordon, an original Anzac, fell in battle at Gallipoli,and the others are still at the front. "Jack" was in the Navy when war broke out, and was in training at Sydney, where he won the Coogee gold medal and life saving certificate before he was 16 years of age. While on the Encounter he met with, an accident, which eventually rendered him unfit for further service with the navy. Invalided home and later discharged with an excellont character, he received the returned Soldiers' and Sailors' badge or medal and a pension for life. But the call of Empire was too strong, and renouncing his pension he re-enlisted in the army (after two months' rest), and came home to implore the consent of his parents, being not yet 18 years old. After a short season in camp he left for England on 11th May, 1917, and was on active service up to the time of his death. Prior to joining the Royal Navy he was employed by Swinton's Pty. He was cox for the Warrnambool Rowing Club in succession to his brother Arthur,and piloted his crew to victory in the Colac Junior Fours, in 1915. He was a bright, happy lad and a brave one, and much sympathy will be felt for his sorrowing parents.

Warnambool Standard: Wednesday, 11 September 1918 - Page 3.