Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Accidentally killed on duty at Yarragadee, nr. Mingenew, W.A.
Interred Mingenew War Cemetery, W.A.
Reinterred Geraldton War Cemetery, W.A.

Roll of Honour
THOMPSON.-— Accidentally killed, 31st July, 1943, Sgt. N. J. H., dearly loved Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Thompson, brother of Lily, Olive, Beat, Madge, Charley, Hilda, and Owen. Deeply mourned.
Ref.- The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tue 24 Aug 1943, Page 4

Roll of Honour
THOMPSON.— In loving memory of my beloved Husband, Sgt. N. J H. Thompson, who was accidentally killed on 31st July, 1943.
Dearly loved & deeply mourned. Inserted by his loving Wife. Violet.
Ref.- The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Fri 27 Aug 1943, Page 6

The story of Norman Joseph Henry Thompson

Sergeant

Royal Australian Armoured Corps

2/5th Armoured Regiment

Norm, a 29yo labourer from Brisbane QLD enlisted in the 2nd AIF at the City Hall Recruiting Depot on 2 Sep 1941 & was posted to the 2/5th Armd Regt on Sep 5th

The 2/5th Armd Regt was formed at Grovely, Brisbane QLD on 26 Jul 1941 as part of the 1st Armd Bde of the 1st Armd Div, under the command of QX19189 Lieut Col Frank Sandilands

Norm was appointed Acting Corporal on 20 Dec, then promoted to Corporal in Mar 1942

Following the outbreak of the Pacific War the Regt was equipped with Universal Carriers to train as a light armoured unit but was re-equipped with M3 Grant Medium Tanks in Apr 1942

May-Jun 42, Norm attended a WO & NCOs course at the Singleton AFV Tank & Gunnery School & was appointed Lance Sergeant on 19 Jul

The Regt moved to Edgeroi NSW in Aug to conduct large-scale exercises with the rest of the 1st Armd Div

He was subsequently appointed Acting Sergent on 27 Sep & was again detached to the Singleton AFV School from 7 Nov-21 Dec before being promoted to Sergeant

The Regt was ordered to prepare for deployment to New Guinea in Aug/Sep 42, but was replaced by the 2/6th Armd Regt which was equipped with lighter M3 Stuart Tanks which were better suited to New Guinea's terrain

In early 1943 the Regt moved to WA with the rest of the 1st Armd Div & was based at Yarragadee Station near Geraldton

On the 31 Jul 1943, RHQ & A Sqn Tanks left camp & were en route to the Gunnery Range when a bank gave way causing Sgt Thompson’s Tank to capsize into the Irwin River

Sadly, Norm was killed in the accident &  two other crewman were injured

QX22883 Corporal (then Trooper) Paul Francis Eisentrager was awarded the Kings Commendation for Brave Conduct, for his actions during the accident in which Sgt Thompson was killed, his citation reading : “Tpr Eisentrager was a member of the crew of a light tank which, during maneuvers, overturned when a bank gave way while crossing a river. The commander of the Tank Crew was killed & Tpr Eisentrager, & the driver trapped inside the tank which was in the water. Displaying outstanding coolness and presence of mind, Tpr. Eisentrager supported the driver, who was unconscious, overcome by petrol fumes & in danger of drowning, & although injured himself, remained calm & obeyed all instructions throughout rescue operations

Norm was the 31yo son of Henry Thompson & Mary Ann Thompson (nee Hatching). He left behind, his wife Violet Jane Thompson & twin daughters, Norma & Janice

Norm is buried in the Geraldton War Cemetery in WA & his name is etched on the Aus War Memorials, Shrine of Remembrance panel 17