Thompson initial military experience was with the 34th Fort Gary Horse before his WWI enlistment in the 18th Canadian Reserve Battalion. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1917 and was promoted to temporary Second Lieutenant (on probation) on 1918-01-03. On 1918-03-13 he was posted to 62 Squadron as an observer. Thompson scored 9 victories flying Bristol Fighters and was twice recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross. He and pilot Douglas Savage were shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Armentières on 1918-04-21. On 1918-08-22, Thompson was forced to land when pilot Ernest Morrow was badly wounded. He survived the war and was placed on the Unemployed List on 1919-03-15. After return to Canada, he moved to the United States.

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