A 1915 dated Verniers pattern British Officer’s Marching Compass in leather protective case named to “R. O. C.Thomson” for Captain Ronald Ord Campbell Thomson, Royal Engineers, late 1st Field Company, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Division, who was awarded the Military Cross in 1919 and the O.B.E. in 1947.
Verniers pattern British Officer’s Marching Compass in leather protective case named to “R. O. C.Thomson”, the compass dated 1915 with E. R. Watts & Sons maker’s details to the reverse.
Condition: Service wear commensurate with age, Good overall condition.
Ronald Ord Campbell Thomson was educated at Seafield Park Engineering College (Fareham), and enlisted into the 5th Norfolks (TA), then transferred to No 1 Fd. Coy., Royal Marines.
He served with the RND on Gallipoli from Apr 1915 until commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Engineers (29 Oct 1915). Evacuated from Gallipoli, he joined at Salonika (Fd. Engineer, Lt. Railways), Sep 1916.
Thomson was awarded the Military Cross for his service in the Balkans, London Gazette 12 Dec 1919
He rejoined in WW2, receiving an Emergency Commission in 1941and joined No 1 Railway. Construction and Maintenance Group (India and Iraq). Appointed Chief Engineer (N. Assam) in 1943, he was appointed Controller of Stores (N. W. Railwayys., Lahore) in 1945. Thomson was awarded the OBE (Civ.), 1 Jan 1947 when Executive Engineer in Reconstruction, N. W. Railways., Quetta
Both letters were written by Thomson to his niece regarding the compass
