1939-45 Star (11503 F.E. THOMPSON); Africa Star (11503 F.E. THOMPSON); War Medal 1939-45 (11503 F.E. THOMPSON); Africa Service Medal (11503 F.E. THOMPSON)
Francis Edwin Thompson was born in Komgha, just outside East London, South Africa on 21 March 1902. He attested for service with his local regiment, the Kaffrarian Rifles at the age of 38 on 10 April 1940. Thompson was posted to North Africa and was in action against the Italians and Rommel's Desert Army. He was taken Prisoner of War when the Tobruk garrison, under General Klopper, surrendered in the face of overwhelming odds on 20 June 1942.
Initially kept in unsanitary cages, exposed to the elements in Tripoli, the P.O.W.'s were ferried across the Mediterranean to Italy where they were incarcerated in Campos. With the Italian surrender in September 1943 the Germans moved all prisoners eastwards to camps in their own territory.
Thompson completed the Ex-Prisoner of War Questionnaire confirming that he had been held at Camp 344 Lamsdorf, Camp 60 Lucca and Camp 52 Genoa. He was also known to have been captive in Stalags VIIIB. He was suspected of being on the Long March westwards where, with the Russians advancing from the east, the German authorities force marched their prisoners to the west of Germany under inhumane conditions with little to no food and rest.
He was repatriated to South Africa after his release and returned to the Eastern Cape where he was a Farmer.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research including the POW Questionnaire and SA service file and cards.
