Geoffrey Thompson

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the loss of former SSgt Geoffrey Thompson as reported recently in The Yorkshire Post.
Mr Thompson died in hospital in York on 27th February 2017, aged 97, after being taken ill at the Wold Haven Nursing Home in Pocklington, where he had been living since last October.
He was originally called up to serve with the Highland Light Infantry before being transferred to the Royal Artillery and then volunteering for Airborne Forces with D Squadron, Number One Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment. He piloted a glider carrying troops and equipment into Normandy in Northern France as part of the D Day operations in June 1944 and during operation Market Garden at Arnhem, Holland, in September 1944, before joining the battle.
During the winter of 1944/45 he was taken prisoner and endured “death marches” between camps in Germany suffering from malnutrition, severe cold, and having to walk barefoot in the snow due to the soles wearing off his shoes. After being liberated by American troops he was admitted to Seacroft Hospital in Leeds where he underwent the amputation of four toes on his left foot due to frost bite.
Mr Thompson leaves a son, a daughter, 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
It is reported that The funeral service is to be held at 1pm on 16th March 2017 at York Crematorium, Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 2QD and all are welcome.