Mr Thompson, known as Thomo to his many friends, died peacefully aged 94 early this month.

Mr Thompson, despite his army service, regularly read The Ode at the navy base’s service and was a regular flag bearer at the Huskisson service.

A true gentleman, Mr Thompson was respected throughout the region.

Fellow Vincentia resident Gordon Young was proud to call Mr Thompson a friend.

He regularly used to pick his mate Thomo up and take him to Huskisson RSL Sub Branch meetings.

They used to talk about many things – including war.

“Thomo used to talk about war but he never used to glorify it,” he said.

Thomo used to love telling stories – like the time he had to blow up a Japanese ammunition depot in World War II and got a little carried away.

The explosion was likened to an earthquake and Mr Thompson’s superior officers afterwards always checked just how much explosives Thomo used when given demolition jobs.

“Thomo definitely had a good sense of humour and was a gentleman,” Mr Young said.

Mr Thompson’s military career started when he served, on a part-time basis, in the Militia/Citizen Military Forces from May 17 to November 7, 1941.

He served full-time with the Militia/Citizen Military Forces from November 8, 1941 to July 20, 1942 and then he became a member of the Australian Imperial Force from July 18, 1942 to October 14, 1946.

He rose to the rank of captain and was stationed in Darwin from December 11, 1943 to September 7, 1944 and then Morotai and Borneo from August 1945 to January 27, 1946.

Mr Thompson received many medals, including the Pacific Star, Defence Medal, Efficiency Medal and Return from Active Service Badge.

Towards the end, bone cancer started to take its toll on Mr Thompson.

“Thomo was in pain but he never complained,” Mr Young said.

President of the Huskisson RSL Sub-Branch Greg Tindall said he would miss Mr Thompson.

“I never heard him say a cross word about anyone. He was a fantastic man,” Mr Tindall said.

Mr Tindall knew Mr Thompson not only from the sub-branch but also from their days on the golf course.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Creswell Captain Stephen Hussey got to know Mr Thompson well over the past year.

“He was a wonderful individual and a great character,” Captain Hussey said.

Captain Hussey said Mr Thompson was a great supporter of the naval base and it was sad he would not be there to share the special event on Saturday.

“Thomo will be there in spirit,” Captain Hussey said.

Mr Thompson passed away on April 2 and is survived by his wife Margie, family members Angela and Peter, Janine and Daryl and Julie and Russell, grand and great grandchildren who affectionately knew him as Johnnie Boy.