Company Sergeant-Major T. Thomson M.M.

Operations in Burma, March - April, 1943

On 12 April, 1943, Headquarters No.2 Group and No. 8 Column Column encountered a strong enemy post at NISAN Forest Rest House, south-west of BHAMO. In the initial encounter the main portion of the column became separated from its senior commander. C.S.M THOMSON immediately organised the defence of Group Headquarters and later when the party was withdrawing to a more advantageous position took charge of an exposed post designed to cover the withdrawal. Ordered to report on the enemy's movements, he took out a small patrol towards the enemy's position and drew their fire. Regardless of continuous fire from enemy automatic weapons and from snipers, he continued his task until he caused them to divulge their dispositions in full, after which he returned and sent valuable information to his Commanding Officer.

Shortly afterwards on hearing the sound of motor transport he again went forward with the patrol and in spite of mortar and automatic fire was able to to report accurately the strength of the newly arrived enemy reinforcements.

On this, as on all other occasions when C.S.M. THOMSON came under fire he showed resource, calmness and determination. His example was of especial value at this time, when all ranks were undergoing a particularly severe strain.