Tributes have been shared to a ‘great and splendid’ former SAS officer who helped free hostages in the siege of the Iranian Embassy. Warrant Officer John Thompson, originally from Liverpool, died yesterday, Saturday August 31, aged 82 following a period of ill health, The Mirror reports.
Mr Thompson began his military career with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. He went on to serve with the United Nations before being transferred to a new role in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps for the Parachute Brigade back in 1969.
Half a decade later, having spent a year working in Korea, he was awarded the Republic of Korea Service Medal during a ceremonial parade. A pivotal role in his military career came when he joined Operation Nimrod, the SAS-led effort to free hostages being held by terrorists at London's Iranian embassy.
The soldier was part of the SAS A squadron that stormed the building in 1980 after being flown in by helicopter, firing gas canisters during a successful mission that killed five of the terrorists holding hostages inside.
Mr Thompson joined Boat Troop G Squadron the following year, and aided troops participating in the Falklands War for three weeks ahead of the Argentine invasion by gathering intelligence. Through the rest of the conflict, he helped target enemy troop patrols, and later retired from the service to work as a bodyguard in the Middle East.
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An ex-colleague remembered the soldier as an "all-round nice man" in a post on Facebook after his death was confirmed. They said: "John was the former regimental chief clerk at Hereford before he passed SAS selection. A great guy, splendid soldier, all-round nice man and a friend to many. RIP Always a little further."