Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Colin Robert Thompson was born at La Perouse Nursing Home, Adelaide, South Australia on the 2nd December 1917. He was the first child of Robert and Alice, with siblings Mavis and Stanley.
Colin attended Broken Hill School where he came “Dux” in year 6. He then attended Broken Hill School for four years. He was awarded a bursary to attend high school because of his excellent school results.
At the age of 18 years and 6 months Colin was employed as a boot repairer working for C. E. Cutts in Goodwood, South Australia when he joined the Militia Forces, and was allocated to “L” Infantry Bridge Section.
April 1939, Colin was transferred to the Kalangadoo Railway Station as a Second Senior Porter.
Colin enlisted on the 23rd of July 1940 at Wayvillle, South Australia. From July to October Private Thompson was taking his training and then posted to Signals on the 3rd of October 1940. On the 10th of November Private Thompson was transferred to the 8th Division Signals Eastern Command at Ingleburn. Records show that Private Thompson was then transferred to the 9th Division Signals at Bathurst with an appointment of Signal Operator Special Grade 2 in December 1940.
Private Thompson embarked on the 26th of December 1940 for the Middle East, arriving in Palestine for further acclimatization and maneuvers near Kilo 89 camp.
The brigade's first combat actions occurred in early 1941 during operations in Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya), where it advanced into Italian-held territory and engaged German forces at Er Regima on 4 April, marking one of the earliest encounters between Australian and Axis troops in the North African campaign.
Private Thompson subsequently played a pivotal role in the defence of Tobruk from April to December 1941, enduring the eight-month siege as part of the "Rats of Tobruk," with the brigade’s holding key sectors against relentless Axis assaults and earning battle honours such as Tobruk 1941 and Defence of Tobruk. Following relief from Tobruk, Private Thompson conducted garrison duties in Palestine and Syria before being redeployed to the El Alamein line in July 1942, where the brigade reinforced the northern flank during the critical Second Battle of El Alamein from October to November 1942, contributing to the Allied victory that turned the tide in North Africa.
Private Thompson embarked from the Middle East on the 26th January 1943, arriving in Sydney on the 27th of February, where a period of leave followed.
Following a three year engagement, Private Thompson married local girl Nancy Gray on the 8th March 1943 and honeymooned in Western Victoria during this stint of leave.
The brigade retrained in jungle warfare on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland. In July Private Thompson was promoted to Lance Corporal , before returning to combat as part of the 9th Division's advance along New Guinea's north coast.
Lance Corporal Thompson participated in the amphibious landings at Lae on 4 September, advancing through dense jungle to secure the town by 16 September, and then at Scarlet Beach near Finschhafen on 22 September, where it repelled fierce Japanese counterattacks and earned honours including Defence of Scarlet Beach and Finschhafen. After a period of rest and reorganization in Australia from March 1944, Lance Corporal Thompson was admitted to hospital temporarily unfit for service with an operational unit.
Lance Corporal Colin Thompson was discharged on the 27th of December 1944, after completing 1022 days overseas and 441 days active service in Australia and received the following medals
1939/45 Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939/45
Australian Service Medal 1939/45
After the war Colin returned to Kalangadoo and with his wife Nancy living with Nancy’s parents Charlie and Vera Gray and had their first child Robin in Penola, 1945 followed by Helen (Naracoorte 1947) and Cheryl (Mt Gambier 1950).
Railway postings included Naracoorte, Terowie, then promoted to Station Master at Mannahill, as well as stints at Frances and Tailem Bend before being desk bound in Adelaide.
Colin was a member of the Railways Freemasons Lodge in Adelaide from 1955 until his death. He was also a member of two RSL Clubs and a Probus Club in which he was secretary of both clubs. He loved watching cricket and football
Colin Robert Thompson passed away on the 8th of February 2002 aged 85 years and is interred at the Centennial Park Cemetery.
A Brave Soldier at Rest
Lest We Forget