VALE Alan George Thompson 1939-2024
‘THOMMO’
I first rubbed shoulders with Thommo in 1953 when we were both at Canterbury Boys High, it was a selective school and he was selected as DUX from Helensburgh Primary School and me from Hurstville Primary School. He was 2 years ahead of me and so was a BIG kid and we did not socialize. When you realise he lived in Helensburgh, caught rail motor to Sutherland, then electric train to Redfern and changed to another train to Dulwich Hill and about a 3 klm walk to the school. At least 4 hours a day to get to and from school. (no parents dropping you off at the gate in those days.)
Next we met when we were both in the Cops in 1967 attached to Sutherland Police Command, and he as a single unit at Helensburgh and me in a 2 man crew at Engadine call box. We were the backup for Alan when he was in trouble with the locals, and even though there was no expressway we could get to him through the Waterfall bends in less than a 10 minutes blast in our HR Holden. (WHOOPEE).
Alan was lucky having survived TWO close calls from friendly fire. FIRST when in his Cops Ford Falcon, chasing a crook up from the south coast, the Highway at Heathcote was one lane through the shops and the Highway Patrol blocked the road, the crook took to the dirt around the blockage with Alan stuck to his bumper bar, the HWP got excited and threw a couple of shots at the crook, (couldn’t be done these days) as they both passed, the only casualty, a tyre shot out under Alans Falcon.
The SECOND time, same scenario at night, this time the crook took off out of his car into the bush with Alan in close pursuit on foot, the HWP a fair bit behind thought Alan was the offender sending a couple of shots around Alan’s head, he quickly put his hands up and surrendered, luckily all shots missed, they later caught the real crook.
Thommo resigned after 10 years in the Cops and started in Service Stations/workshops at Peakhurst and then Padstow, finally in his workshop at Kirrawee, still keeping his association servicing Cops cars. I can remember he always had QUALITY cars like, Mazda1500SS, Morris Mini Cooper.s, Ford Fairlaine and Tickford Falcon, A Ford Bronco, but there was one exception a Morris 1800 (land crab). This was a surprising vehicle as after a night shift at Sutherland we would see him pass through Engadine with a Police Cooper S in very close company and the word was the cooper never passed the 1800 by the time Alan arrived home at Helensburgh, and those old enough to remember, the Old Higheway in those days was REALLY twisty.
Thommo was in many organisations like Lions, where he held many positions. He kept in the Police Family by being a member of the Police Motor Sports Club with me and later the Blue Liners and Ulysses clubs, the ACT 4 Wheel drive club and attending the Meetings with the retired Sutherland Shire Cops.
A perfect husband for Margaret being a non drinker or smoker and a great provider, an example for his son and daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and for any of his friends in need, he would be the first to help.
Alan, Margaret, Lesley and I have had a multitude of 4wd and caravaning holidays all over Australia in our 20 years of retirement as well as dozens of motorbike adventures, our friendship since 1967 has never waivered. In times of crisis, both families have supported each other. I have never seen Thommo raise his voice in anger no matter how provoked, a true gentleman who will be really missed.
Nippy Norm
#46105
