Tommy Thompson (rugby union)

Tommy Thompson was born on 4 October 1886, in Carnarvon, Cape Colony, and attended Rondebosch Boys' High School.{{sfn|Sewell|1919|p=208}}

Thompson played rugby for Somerset West Rugby Club, and in 1912 was selected for his provincial club Western Province.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=46544 | name=Gerald Thompson | date=26 May 2016}} He was a member of the {{nrut|South Africa}}n rugby team that toured the British Isles and France in 1912–13. The team won all four of its international matches against the Home Nations, and against {{nrut|France}}.{{sfn|Sewell|1919|p=208}} Thompson played against {{nrut|Scotland}}, {{nrut|Ireland}}, and {{nrut|Wales}}, and in a further twelve matches against other teams. He was considered to be one of the two best amongst the 'finest pack of forwards'. The contemporary rugby journalist and author E. H. D. Sewell recounted seeing the game against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on 23 November 1912, and said of Thompson: "I have never seen a better individual performance than his on that frost-bound pitch... Only a few have I seen to equal that all-round display". Thompson played "like one possessed" en route to a 38 point to zero victory.{{sfn|Sewell|1919|p=208}}

At the outbreak of the First World War, Thompson volunteered for service in South West Africa. At the conclusion of that campaign, he responded to the call for recruits to serve in East Africa, and was drafted into the 5th Regiment of the South African Infantry.{{sfn|Sewell|1919|p=209}} In April 1916, Thompson contracted malaria and was hospitalised.{{sfn|McCrery|2014|p=225}} The troops, who had to march hundreds of miles through difficult terrain, cutting their way through dense bush, suffered greatly from malaria and a shortage of rations.

On 19 June, the 5th South African Infantry, under the command of Colonel J.J. Byron, was sent in pursuit of German forces, to occupy Kangata, 8 miles south of Pongwe.{{efn|{{harvtxt|McCrery|2014|p=225}} has made a transcription error, changing Kangata to Katanga.}} They found the Germans entrenched in a concealed position in dense bush. During the firefight that ensued, Byron's forces took heavy losses, but sustained the attack until night, when the Germans retreated.{{London Gazette|issue=29906|date=16 January 1917|pages=687–702|supp=y}} Thompson was killed in action the following day, 20 June 1916, after a bullet pierced his neck.{{sfn|Sewell|1919|pp=208–209}}

Thompson is buried at Dar es Salaam War Cemetery (Grave 8. A. 3.).{{CWGC|id=899202|name=Thompson, G}} His grave lies near that of his fellow countryman and teammate, Jacky Morkel, who died on 15 May 1916 in East Africa.{{sfn|Cooper|2012}}

• List of international rugby union players killed in action during the First World War

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|last1=Cooper|first1=Stephen|title=The Final Whistle The Great War in Fifteen Players.|date=2012|publisher=The History Press|location=New York|isbn=9780752481241}}
• {{cite book|last1=McCrery|first1=Nigel|title=Into Touch: Rugby Internationals Killed in the Great War|date=2014|publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1473833210}}
• {{cite book|last1=Sewell|first1=Edward Humphrey Dalrymple|author-link=E. H. D. Sewell|title=The Rugby Football Internationals Roll of Honour|date=1919|publisher=T. C. & E. C. Jack|location=London, Edinburgh}}

• {{cite book |last=Billot |first=John |title=Springboks in Wales |year=1974 |publisher=Ron Jones Publications|location=Ferndale, Glamorgan }}

{{WWI SA rugby fatalities}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Tommy}}

Category:1886 births

Category:1916 deaths

Category:South African people of British descent

Category:Rugby union centres

Category:South African rugby union players

Category:South Africa international rugby union players

Category:South African military personnel killed in World War I

Category:Western Province (rugby union) players