Thompson was born in
Berkhamsted,
Hertfordshire, and was educated at
Tonbridge School in
Kent and at
St John's College, Cambridge. A right-handed
batsman, he was regarded as a potential
Test player during his two years in the
Cambridge University team in 1938 and 1939,
Wisden remarking that he batted in "very correct style" with "the makings of a brilliant batsman". However,
World War II intervened, and after the war he concentrated on his career as a mathematics and physics teacher at
Marlborough College, appearing occasionally for
Warwickshire during the school holidays. He played 36 matches of
Minor Counties cricket with
Wiltshire from 1955 to 1963. He toured Canada in 1951 and North America in 1959 with the
Marylebone Cricket Club, tours that coincided with the English school holidays; he also
managed the 1959 tour. Thompson was also a champion
rackets player, winning the British amateur singles title five times and the doubles title 11 times. He also played
squash for England. ==References==