True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: April, 2016
O.646, Superintendent Daniel George 'Dan' Thompson
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Daniel George Thompson led an exciting and a varied professional life. He was born on April 25, 1925. Early in life, he was hired as a deckhand on a US ship which was responsible for laying cable up the west coast of Canada to Alaska. For his service, he was awarded The US Merchant Marine Victory Medal. The free encyclopedia service Wikipedia said that the decoration was awarded to Officers and men of the US Merchant Marine who served aboard an American-flagged merchant ship for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941, and September 3, 1945.
Not long after the outbreak of WWII, Dan Thompson joined the RCAF. He acted as an Air Gunner on bombers which were assigned to raids over Europe. Historians claimed that the strategic air raids eventually led to the definitive Allied victory over Germany. After the war, he was awarded The WWII 1939-45 Star, The Defence Medal, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, The Overseas Medal, and The 1939-45 War Medal. After the war, Dan returned to Canada. As a next step in his life, he set his eyes on policing.
In 1947, Dan Thompson joined the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP). He carried Badge#1151. Between 1947 and 1950, he served at a variety of posts in the interior of the province including Duncan, BC. He was posted to Nanaimo, BC when he joined the RCMP in August 1950 and this is also the year when the BCPP merged with the RCMP.
As an RCMP Constable, Dan Thompson continued to serve on a number of Detachments in BC., and over time he earned promotions to Corporal and to Sergeant. Later, he was transferred to 'O' Division in Toronto ON., and he was promoted to Sergeant Major. He went on to serve at 'HQ' Division in Ottawa, ON. and he received his Commission to Inspector in 1967.
As a Junior Officer, Dan Thompson was assigned to Canada House in London, England, and his next posting took him to New York in connection with the UN Habitat. After his US assignment, he returned to policing duties in 'E' Division (BC). In addition to his regular police duties, he was assigned as the Aide-de-Camp to BC's Lieutenant Governor Walter Owen.
On the west coast, Dan Thompson served as a Detective Inspector for the RCMP's Vancouver Sub-Division. Quite unexpectedly, he was thrust into the role as lead investigator in the murder investigations and the horrific fire aboard the Norwegian cruise ship Meteor near Powell River, BC in 1971 in which 32 crew members lost their lives. What effect this investigation may have had on his life or on the lives of other RCMP investigators is not known. Unquestionably, it was a very difficult and stressful situation for all the investigative police officers and they would have felt a certain degree of hopelessness.
In 1988, Dan Thompson retired as the Officer Commanding Vancouver Sub-Division. Prior to his career coming to a final close, he was awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal, as well as the RCMP Long Service Medal with Silver Clasp and Stars.
Superintendent Thompson led a life of contribution both to Canada and to the Force. As a young man, he made a promise to commit his life to service and to hard work even under the most difficult times. His contribution to the war effort as well as others was significant. After he retired from the RCMP, he went on to serve a few more years with the BC Provincial Government. The RCMP is very proud of Superintendent Thompson's professional life and of his honourable career as a police officer.
He was a member of the University of Victoria Alumni Association, the Air Gunners Association, London, England, the BC Provincial Police Association and the Masonic Lodge of BC. (Duncan, BC).
Superintendent Thompson died in Vancouver, BC on January 22, 1997. Dan was buried in the Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria BC.
I would like to thank Reg.#19582, BC Vet Garnet Mowatt for sending me the biographical notes as well as the photo of Superintendent D. G. Thompson which were used in this short piece. Thank you Garnet.
Dan Thompson's obituary which can be found in the database was provided by S/S/M John Buis of Burnaby Detachment. Thank you John.
Reporting from Fort healy,
J. J. Healy
April 23, 2016
