James Thompson was the son of 530 Private James Thompson (17th Regiment of Foot, then Royal New Zealand Fencibles) and Margaret Thompson (nee Ragan).

James Thompson was the brother-in-law of Robert Bennett Brickell and John Bennett Brickell, both also members of the Waikato Regiments.

Resident of Ranfurly Veterans' Home, Mt Roskill, Auckland

Text of the obituary: "A veteran of the Maori Wars, Mr. James Thompson died yesterday at the Auckland Infirmary, at the age of 86 years. He was mentioned in Colonel Gudgeon's book on the Maori was as one of the country's heroes.

Mr. Thompson, who enlisted at the age of 16 years, was attached to the 3rd Waikato Regiment, and had a fine war record. His death recalls an incident some years ago when Major J.A. Wallingford, superintendent of the Veterans Home, found that Mr. Thompson possessed neither a medal nor a Maori War pension. Major Wallingford took up the matter and forwarded the old veteran's credentials to the War Office. It then appeared that all the necessary particulars of his war service had been on file for over half a century and the medal was sent to him without delay.

On receipt of the medal from the War Office, Mr. Thompson immediately became entitled to a New Zealand Government pension of between four and five pounds per month, which was duly paid. Unfortunately, though, having failed to make an earlier claim, he had no right to arrears, which would have amounted to a large sum. At an annual luncheon to the Kings Empire Veterans, Viscount Bledisloe remarked on the modesty of Mr. Thompson in not applying for his medal and congratulated him. Mr. Thompson is to be tendered a veteran's funeral, which is to leave the veterans home tomorrow morning."

Signed his name as Thomas in 1930 in correspondence to Defence Headquarters. New Zealand War Medal was engraved Thomson AWMM