 In 2004 he was awarded an Order of Australia in recognition of his contribution to soil science as a researcher and educator, and as an advisor in land management practices and conservation issues.Born in the Central Queensland town of Rockhampton, Thompson grew up on a fruit and dairy farm in Ambrose near Mount Larcom, Queensland, attending the local public school.In 1940 he won a scholarship to Gatton Agricultural College, completing a Diploma of Horticulture in 1944 and remaining at the college to teach horticulture until 1946.