Sent by Michael Boire

Lt-Colonel Thomson, DSO, MC, commanded the Seaforths in Italy from mid-December, 1943, through Ortona, the Hitler Line, and the Battle of the Gothic Line to early October, 1944 when he was replaced for failing to report back to Brigadier Gibson in the heat of the battle at San Fortunato Ridge near Rimini (Adriatic Coast, Italy). Brigadier Gibson was replaced at the time, probably for firing Syd Thomson. Syd commanded the Black Watch, 2nd Division for the last weeks of the war in NW Europe. He was appointed brigadier following the war.

Thomson was, to the best of my knowledge, the second-last surviving
lieutenant-colonel from World War 2. Lt-Col Brown of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and formerly of the 17th Field Regiment is still living and in good health in Montreal. At the time of his death, Syd Thomson was the senior most decorated officer from World War II, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (Ortona) and the Military Cross (near Campabasso).