Have just heard that Alex (Blue) Thompson has passed away. He was RSM 1st Tour and OC Spt 2nd Tour. Alex’s wife (Audrey) has confirmed that he passed away due to an enlarged heart (a condition that he had suffered from for some time) after the last week in hospital. His funeral will be held on Saturday 6 June at 12 midday at Kingston – a graveside service.
Blue was 82 and well respected throughout the Corps and 7RAR.
Funeral details. Saturday, 6 June, 2015 Further details advised as they come to hand.
A summary of his service;
WO1 Alexander Patrick Thompson was born in Hobart in 1933. ‘Blue’ Thompson was called up for National service in 1951 and in the same year enlisted in the Regular Army and was posted to 1RAR. He served in Korea with 1RAR and was then posted to the HaraMura Battle school in Japan as an Instructor. He returned to Australia in 1954, initially posted to 18 National service Training Battalion then, after promotion to WOII, moved to the 40th Infantry Battalion and in 1958, to 2RAR as CSM. He served in Malaya with 2RAR during 1961 and 1963 and on return to Australia in 1963 was posted to the SASR as Squadron Sergeant Major. In 1965 he served in Borneo with the SASR. Once again he returned to Australia and in 1966 was promoted and posted to 7RAR as RSM. He served during the first tour of the Battalion in Vietnam in that appointment and after returning to Australia was commission as Lieutenant and posted to 2RNSWR. In 1970, after promotion to Captain, he was once again posted to 7RAR, serving as OC Support Company on the second tour of Vietnam. On return to Australia he was posted as OC WO Training Wing at the Infantry Centre and in 1974 was posted back home to Tasmania as Staff Captain ‘Q’. In 1975 he was posted to 6 Cadet Brigade and in 1976, promoted to substantive Major as Assistant Commander. After serving for 27 years and having seen operational service in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and twice in Vietnam, Major A.P Thompson retired from the Army in 1978
Blue Thompson~ you will be missed … You had an enormous & positive effect on so many young Soldiers. I carried his Company Sig Set for the last 4 months of the 2nd Tour and saw first hand how this man and CSM Ron Sigg ran an aggressive, competent and successful Company. Blue Thompson was tough, strong and professional but one of the fairest people you would ever meet.
Condolences to Family & Friends …
Lest We Forget people like Captain Thompson.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Audrey and family on the loss of Blue. He was a fine infantryman and inspiration to a baggyarse like me. As fellow Tasmanians, we had a special friendship and I regret not having kept up with him in recent years when home.
Rest in Peace Blue,
David & Helen Kibbey
Canberra
R.I.P Bluey Thompson R.S.M. Pigs 1st. Tour 67/8. You will fondly be remembered the by all who knew and served in the Regiment.
We were lucky men to have the like of Blue, Siggy and Rowley, in our Company. I was fortunate to earn my stripes under Blue and played a lot of rugby with him before entering country. Disciplined, tough and fair – truly a soldier’s soldier. Without him, none of us could have aspired to be what we wanted to be as soldiers. I’m so glad to have been in Support Company particularly Recce. Loved you Blue – God Bless.
R.I.P BLUEY YOU WHERE ONE OF THE BEST TAUHT ME A LOT MY BEST TO HIS FAMMILY
A true and inspirational soldier who knew how to play the game. As an RP (ad captandum vulgus) 7 RAR first tour, he was the boss. We respected him and I’m sure he respected us. For those who actually worked and or interacted with “Bluey” will know what I mean, especially if you went on “ambush” with him. For those who didn’t rest assured you meant a lot to him, such was his “professional character” as I knew of him at that time. A man not forgotten. Condolences to family. RIP.
The previous posts have expressed the qualities of this truly professional soldier and person and whose comments I fully support.
Blue (whom I have never called that to his to his face) was a mentor to many, myself included, I am proud to have served with him when he was our RSM and later as my OIC. He is a person who can only be respected and will be sorely missed.
His contribution to the Army and persons who served with him will live long after we follow him.
Rest in peace mate and friend.
Colin Rowley
Queensland
One of my main regrets in life is not knowing that my pop was a true blue hero to so many people. As a kid I grew up wondering why the old man was always just sitting in his shed alone, always, it didn’t make sense to a child. I’m 30 now and understand that he was a true warrior and my grandmother was a saint amongst saints. My family has probably never seen these comments but I say on behalf of all Thompsons. Thank you for the amazing words about our Great-Grandfather, Pop, and Father.
Joel, I was very interested to hear your impressions of Alex Thompson. I went with Support Coy, 7RAR to Vietnam (2nd Tour) in the position of his Batman after having completed a Sig course! He was never known to need or use a Batman. In Vietnam I was his Sig for about 6 months before being promoted to Company Clerk. I have a number very vivid memories of him, he was a very competent and assertive soldier, and was not affraid to engage the Battalion CO on the radio about night ambush locations, always concerned about his troops. He was extremely disturbed when his men were injured by mines. On long marches in remote areas he asked me to help him measure distances covered. On a personal and humorous note, he purchased a Mixmaster from the PX for his wife (Audrey) and asked me to wrap it carefully, and in a rare moment of wry humour, threatened that should the glass bowls be broken, I would be straight off to a rifle company. He said it with a smile. A very nice person whom I regret not catching up with in later life.