Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1945

"This officer while a prisoner of war in German hands was from October 1944 to the end of the war Senior British Medical Officer at Oflag 79.
When Lieut.Col. Thompson took over these duties the camp was becoming very overcrowded, and conditions had greatly deteriorated.
Until December when the severest period of the winter was over, there was no heating in the camp and hot water was only available once in five weeks, the German rations were totally inadequate and the Red Cross parcel issue, reduced to a half.
Many new arrivals in the camp were infested with lice and scabies and owing to the lack of hospital accommodation a number of serious cases had to be attended and nursed in the sick bay.
In spite of these difficulties and the fact that there were 275 Indians in the camp some in the fourth year of their captivity, no epidemics broke out and the health of the prisoners remained excellent up to the end. This was largely due to the care and professional skill of Lieut. Col. Thompson who spared no effort to preserve the health and wellbeing of his fellow prisoners."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1947

"Lt. Col. Dennis H. THOMPSON was senior British officer in a German prison camp at LIMBURG, Germany, from 11 September to 10 October 1944. During this period there were one hundred British officers and one-hundred-fifty American officers confined in the same building. Living conditions, food and sanitation were exceptionally bad. Colonel THOMPSON displayed exceptional leadership, maintained a high state of discipline and morale and worked in close cooperation with the senior American officers for the welfare of the prisoners of war of both nations."