Distinguished Service Medal, (GVI )(S.P.O.); 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence and War Medals , L.S.G.C., (GVI). (S.P.O. H.M.S. Lewis),
Court mounted
J. W. Thompson. S.P.O.
D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1942.
John Wesley Thompson was born at Hull, Yorkshire on 28 November 1908 and attested into the Royal Navy as Stoker Class II on 7 December 1926. His first service afloat was with H.M.S. Eagle from 5 July 1927, remaining with her until after 1 January 1929.
He was serving with the destroyer Inglefield when he was awarded his D.S.M.
In October 1939, nglefield, along with her sister ships Ivanhoe and Intrepid, sank U-boat U-45 off the southwest coast of Ireland. Inglefield sank another German U-boat, U-63, in early 1940 with the help of her sister Imogen and the submarine Narwhal; 24 Germans were rescued.
In the year prior to this award she had been part of the pursuit and destruction of the Bismark. After this she undertook convoy duties in, being part of the first Arctic convoy.
H.M.S Lewes was an old US destoyer – the USS Conway that saw service 1942-45
