Trio : Distinguished Conduct Medal (VR), India General Service Medal 1895 two clasps: "P.F. 1897-98, TIRAH 1897-98", Queens South Africa Medal 1899 five clasps: "CC, T. HTS, R of L. , BELFAST, OFS". 3640 PTE. A. THOMPSON. 1ST. RL. INNIS. FUSILIERS. All medals correctly named, DCM & QSA impressed, IGS (2nd Bn) in running script.
London Gazette April 19 1901
First mentioned in Gen. Buller's despatch 30 March 1900. "Pte. Thompson 3640 on the 23rd February 1900 went to rescue Pte. Nesbitt a heavy wounded man and laboriously brought him to cover under hot fire."
A further mention is found in the book "Buller's campaign with the Natal Field Force of 1900" of where the following gives us a better understanding of this heroic action at "Harts Hill"
"They passed along this Bullet-swept path over the Onderbrook Spruit bridge, the Inniskillings leading, and the other regiments following. Every man of the brigade had therefore to run the Gauntlet of the Boer marksman, and numbers dropped on the bridge, where the enemy's bullets were falling thick. Some fifty men were put out of action* in the race over the bridge to the rendezvous further on,..."
"* An act of gallantry was displayed at this spot as the Inniskillings crossed. Private Nesbitt fell badly wounded on the middle of the bridge. With considerable courage Private Thompson of the same regiment ran back and removed his comrade, though under heavy fire, to a place of safety."
There has been many a Victoria Cross awarded for similar acts of Gallantry and Private Thompsons actions that day again illustrates to me why the DCM has always been my favourite award for the past 40 years.
VF SOLD
