Family’s tribute to their hero son

Oct 2 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

HE lived his life to the full and died a hero. Today the parents of special soldier James Thompson have revealed how they hope thousands of pounds will be raised in memory of their brave son who was killed in action more than five months ago.

The 27-year-old, who was on foot patrol in the Musa Qaleh area of Afghanistan, became the 96th British victim of the conflict when he was caught up in an explosion in May.

Allen and Hilary Thompson, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, are still coming to terms with the loss of their youngest son who served with Special Forces in the war zone.

This Sunday his brother Neil and friends will join together in the Great North Run to raise hundreds of pounds which will be added to funds already secured for benevolent charity Help For Heroes and the military rehabilitation centre Headley Court, in Epsom, Surrey.

Last night Mr and Mrs Thompson said that their fun-loving son had made them and all those around him proud.

Mr Thompson, 64, former owner of the Marlborough Hotel on Whitley Bay’s seafront, said: “It just means so much to us and I know it would mean a lot to James.

“He was pretty outgoing and had a very positive outlook on life.

“During his computer work his colleagues said that he brought to the job a sense of fun and calmness when issues arose.

“They said that he had a remarkable gift of making everyone around him smile, he just made people laugh.

“But he wasn’t brash with it, he was a gentleman.”

James, who had trained with the Territorial Army, secured a place with Special Forces on his third attempt.

After graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in computer communications, he worked for two years at a school before travelling the world.

He then took up civilian work as a technician with Corporate Document Services (CDS), based in Leeds. Then he was called up for a six-month tour of duty in the Helmand Province area of Afghanistan last December. He was due to return home on July 7.

Hundreds turned out to pay their last respects to the popular adventurer at his funeral service at St Mary the Virgin Church, Monkseaton.

Sadly, in August, James was due to join his elder brother Alistair, 35, as a best man at their brother Neil’s wedding.

Mr Thompson added: “The Army was his life. He liked to be up in the hills training at weekends.

“Joining the Special Forces was what he wanted to do but we didn’t know about it for a long time.

“He failed the first time, had another go and the third go he got in. He was so strong and determined.

“He was strong like an athlete and loved the outdoors.

“His deployment was for six months and he had seven weeks left to go.”

The family have set up the special memorial James Thompson Endeavour Cup at King’s School in Tynemouth, where James and his brothers studied, for a student who has achieved a personal goal.

Next month the family will travel to London to attend the service at the Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey, hearing James’s name read out in the abbey at the Special Forces memorial among all those who have died in the year.

The following day they will present a cheque at Headley Court Forces Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey where funds will be used to build a swimming pool for the rehabilitation of servicemen and women injured during conflict.

Mrs Thompson, 63, added: “I think what they are doing is wonderful. It’s very important to recognise something that really hasn’t been brought to the fore.

“A lot of people, unfortunately like ourselves, are not affected until something happens and it brings it home.”

Surrounded by pictures, the final items of their son’s belongings have just arrived home.

The couple sit and smile about the stories he would tell them when he was able to make contact, despite being thousands of miles away.

Mr Thompson added: “He managed to keep in touch via Sat Phone. Sometimes the summer heat would be 55 degrees, but in the winter when he first arrived, the night temperature would be so cold he got frostbite on his ears and ice would form in the tent.

“Because of the particular group he was in they were going forward in small groups, and they were very supportive of each other. We are so proud of him.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor the Great North Run competitors racing for Help for Heroes should log on to www.justgiving.co.uk/aidancarey or www.justgiving.co.uk/neilmcurtis.

The Army was his life. He liked to be up in the hills training at weekends