| Regimental number | 3620 |
| Place of birth | Saddleworth, South Australia |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Occupation | Timekeeper |
| Address | Petersburg, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 18 |
| Height | 6' 0.75" |
| Weight | 177 lbs |
| Next of kin | Sister, Miss Dorothea Thompson, c/o Mrs Klem, Yorketown, Yorke's Peninsula, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Served for 3 years in Senior Cadets; transferred to D Company, 81st Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 27th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/44/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A30 Borda on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 58th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations East of VILLER-sur-ANCRE on night 3rd/4th July 1918. Lieut. I.G. THOMPSON was in charge of two platoons forming the left flank of the attack made by three Companies of the 15th Aust. Inf. Brigade on the enemy lines. His advance was made with his left flank along the RIVER ANCRE. The ground was marshy and covered with long, tangled vegetation, thickly covered with deep shell holes. About 80 yards from the jumping off tapes, an enemy machine gun post was encountered, which temporarily held up the advance. Lieut. THOMPSON, having tactically disposed his men, led a rush on it, killed the garrison and captured two machine guns. From this point to the objective the most severe resistance was offered to the attack on this flank. Lieut. THOMPSON, by skilful leadership and utter disregard of personal danger, personally led assaults on three other Machine Gun Nests, detailing the party to hold the enemy's attention in front while he led a second party and rushed them from a flank. While moving along the objective with a party under heavy machine gun and Shell fire, to rush another Machine Gun Post, which was causing casualties from a flank forward of the place where his men were digging in, this gallant Officer was killed by Machine Gun Fire. It was undoubtedly due to Lieut. THOMPSON'S cool daring, magnifient leadership and skilful tactics, that the attack on the left flank was successful.' Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919). |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | Ribemont Communal Cemetery (Row A, Grave No. 9), France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 166 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William Turner and Edith Alvenia THOMPSON. Native of Saddleworth, South Australia |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Allotted to and proceeded to join 10th Bn, 27 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 27 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 3 April 1916. Admitted to hospital, 29 May 1916; discharged to duty, 11 June 1916; rejoined Bn, in the field, 12 June 1916. Transferred to 15th Australian Field Ambulance, 18 September 1916. Transferred to 58th Bn, 23 January 1917. Proceeded to England, 30 January 1917; attached to 5th Cadet Bn, Trinity College, Cambridge, 6 February 1917. Admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge, 12 April 1917; discharged to duty, 28 April 1917. Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 2 June 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 21 June 1917; taken on strength, 58th Bn, in the field, 3 July 1917. Detached to Lewis Gun School, 9 September 1917; rejoined Bn, 20 September 1917. Detached to 5th Divisional Details Camp, 22 September 1917; rejoined Bn, 2 October 1917. Promoted Lieutenant, 26 November 1917. On leave to England, 6 January 1918; admitted to Leith War Hospital while on leave, 15 January 1918 (tonsilitis); transferred to Cogham Hall Hospital, Kent, 4 March 1918; discharged to No 1 command Depot, Sutton Veny, 15 January 1918. Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 20 April 1918. Proceeded overseas to France, 29 April 1918; rejoined Bn, in the field, 8 May 1918. Detached to 5th Division Nucleus Camp, 8 May 1918; rejoined Bn, 1 June 1918. Appointed Lewis Gun Officer, 8 June 1918. Killed in action, 4 July 1918. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, THOMPSON Ivo Garfield |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
