Ivan Thompson

Sir Cyril Ivan Thompson (1894–1970), usually known as Sir Ivan Thompson, was a British sea captain who was Commodore of the Cunard Steamship Company from 1954 to 1957.

Career

Thompson was born on 1 November 1894[1] near Liverpool,[2] where he was educated.[1] He joined Joseph Chadwick and Son's Drum line in 1910. The following year, he moved to work for the Harrison Line, before joining Cunard in 1916[1] as a third officer.[3] During the First World War, he was serving on the RMS Caronia (then requisitioned for war service) and witnessed the next ship in the convoy suffer a torpedo attack. He also remained at sea during the Second World War and witnessed a torpedo attack on another ship in his convoy.[4]

In 1942, Thompson was appointed a staff captain and served on the RMS Queen Mary, RMS Aquitania, and RMS Queen Elizabeth[4] before he was promoted to take command of the MV Georgic in 1945.[3] He subsequently commanded RMS Mauretania, the Caronia, Queen Mary, RMS Franconia, MV Britannic[4] and the Queen Elizabeth.[3] Between 1954 and 1957, he was Commodore of the Cunard Line and was knighted in the 1955 Birthday Honours.[1]

Retiring in 1957, Thompson died at Liverpool after a long illness on 22 July 1970. He was survived by a widow, Eileen Smallwood, and four children.[3]

References
  1. "Thompson, Sir Ivan", Who Was Who (online ed., Oxford University Press, December 2007). Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  2. Shipbuilding & Shipping Record: A Journal of Shipbuilding, Marine Engineering, Dock, Harbours & Shipping, vol. 95 (1960), p. 850.
  3. "Sir Ivan Thompson; led Cunard fleet", The New York Times, 25 July 1970, p. 17.
  4. "Sir Ivan Thompson", The Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1970, p. 12.
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